HYDERABAD: The endowments department has reclaimed 6,141 acres from private persons through endowments tribunal. So far the tribunal has settled 890 land cases out of the 2,159.
According to endowments minister P Lakshmaiah there are 4,29,733 acres under the department, but out of it 38,300 acres of agriculture land is still under the occupation of private persons in the state.
Addressing newsmen Saturday, Lakshmaiah said the endowments department is striving to revive and protect old temples in the state and Rs 3.6 crore has been sanctioned for it.
The technical committee has identified as many as 44 temples to be revived and funds have already been allotted to 22 temples, he said. Under the Dhooma Dhoopa Nyvedhyam scheme, the department has been providing funds to 200 small temples in addition to the 3,188 temples in AP. An amount of Rs 10 crore has been allotted to the scheme, he said.
He said he had instructed endowments department officials to examine the condition of temples and send proposals to the government. The minister said the government has decided to construct 70 more temples at a cost of Rs 3.5 lakh each.
For the first time in the state the department has provided a revolving fund for archakas with Rs 100 crore, Lakshmaiah said.