The government will be set up trust boards for 2,080 temples in the state soon, endowments minister C Ramachandraiah has said.
The minister, who reviewed the facilities available at the temples in Rayalaseema and Nellore, Prakasam and Guntur districts here Tuesday, told the media that all the temples with an annual income of Rs 2 lakh per annum will get trust boards.
Admitting that there was a delay in the formation of trust boards owing to various administrative reasons, the minister said the process will be expedited. The government has sanctioned Rs 46.5 crore for renovation of 218 old temples in the state, the minister said adding that 197 Ram Mandirs will be built in the housing colonies of the backward classes.
Speaking on the development of temples, Ramchandraiah said as many as 3,440 temples will be covered under the ‘Dhoopa Deepa Naivedyam scheme’ and they will be paid a monthly grant of Rs 2,500 each for the purpose.
Answering a question on security arrangements at temples, he said ensuring safety of devotees at shrines is a top priority of the government.
The digital monitoring and surveillance at Srisailam and Srikalahasti temples will be entrusted to the Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL).
Steps have been taken to improve basic amenities like drinking water supply, prasadam counters, accommodation and hygiene at the temples, he said, adding that the department is very particular to curb encroachments on the temple lands.
The endowments department, which has around 4.3 lakh acre of temple land under its purview, is generating Rs 44 crore per annum through leases, he added.