VIJAYAWADA: The conflict between Kanaka Durga temple executive officer V Koteswaramma and assistant executive officer (under suspension) S Achyuta Ramaiah seems to be settling down with the latter tendering an apology to the former in the presence of temple trust board committee chairman Y Gouranga Babu on Saturday.
A month ago, Koteswaramma suspended Achyuta Ramaiah and three temple staff over irregularities in purchasing mementos for cultural artistes, who performed during Dasara festivities at Indrakeeladri.
The issue created flutter as the EO lodged a complaint with One Town police against AEO for making threatening remarks against her. Even Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu had warned of scrapping the trust board committee for being in the news for all the wrong reasons.
To put an end to the conflict between the officials on the hill shrine, Gouranga Babu swung into action and said that hasty decisions of EO lead to controversies in the memento scam.
He made it clear that no scam took place in the purchase of mementos for cultural artistes and the bill is yet to be sanctioned.
“To avoid further damage to the reputation of devasthanam, I intervened and settled the issue between EO and AEO,’’ Gouranga Babu said.
He added that steps are being taken to revoke the suspension of three employees and contract employee Sk Syeda will be allowed to resume his duties shortly.
“I apologised to Koteswaramma for my rude behaviour,’’ Achyuta Ramaiah said, adding that he will retire from his services by December-end.
Show-cause notices on three employees
Meanwhile, Koteswaramma served show-cause notices on three employees over irregularities in Annadanam scheme. The EO ordered an internal inquiry into the issue following the complaint lodged by a devotee with special chief secretary (endowments) Manmohan Singh, endowments commissioner M Padma.