TADEPALLIGUDEM: The Endowments Department is initiating steps to eradicate corruption in all temples and provide hassle-free darshan to devotees, especially at Tirumala, endowments minister Pydikondala Manikyala Rao has said.
In an interview with Express here on Tuesday, the minister revealed various reforms being planned in the administration of temples in the state. He said nexus between the temple staff and corrupt outside elements was found to be the reason for the rampant graft in the TTD (Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams). The government wouldn’t be a mere spectator if someone tried to tarnish the image of Tirumala and stern action would be taken against the corrupt temple staff to check the menace, he added.
VIP passes had been reduced to 1,000 from 5,000 per day which was allowing 15,000 more devotees to have the darshan of Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala. In future, letters by VIPs to provide darshan for others would not be accepted.
The three-line queue system was also yielding good results, the minister said. Further, efforts were on to introduce live music and dance programmes in the chambers of the Vaikuntam Queue complex in place of TV programmes to enhance the spiritual experience of the devotees waiting in the queue.
The `300 darshan tickets would be made available online shortly so that the ticket holders could arrive at the temple only two hours before the darshan time.
The Dharma Prachara Parishad would be strengthened and its functioning would be improved on all fronts.
Pointing out that 1.60 lakh audit objections were pending for years with the TTD, the minister said the officials had been directed to update the objections list since an audit of the Lord’s jewellery, properties and employees would be taken up shortly.
The security system on Tirumala would be strengthened immediately.
As a 40 percent rise was expected in the arrvival of pilgrims at Tirumala on foot because of the Divya Darshan facility, he said the TTD executive officer had been asked to send a team to study the darshan arrangements at the Vaishnodevi temple.
FOR THE COMMON DEVOTEES
VIP passes reduced to 1000 from 5000 per day
Darshan tickets of `300 to be available online shortly
Cultural programmes in queue complex
Audit of the Lord’s jewellery, properties and employees soon
Changes in darshan arrangements by studying the Vaishnodevi Temple model
Security on Tirumala to be strengthened
Trust Boards of various temples to be nominated