source: The Hindu June 17, 2007 

http://www.hindu.com/2007/06/17/stories/2007061751780400.htm

Special Correspondent

Matters of faith: Kshetadhara Ramanuja Jeeyar Swami of Sri Jagannadhaswami Matham at a seminar in Hyderabad on Saturday. Others on the dais are T.S. Rao, former DGP, and M.V. Soundararajan, president, Temples Protection Committee .

HYDERABAD: The Endowments Department on Saturday came in for strong criticism from speakers representing a cross-section of society for its failure to ensure proper upkeep of temples.

They expressed their views at a seminar on ‘Management of Hindu Temples in Andhra Pradesh – Need for Reforms’ organised by Hindu Devalaya Parirakshana Samithi. Many of them temple administration should be handed over to a Dharma Prachara Parishad and temple revenues used solely for improvement of temples and propagation of Hindu religion.

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Principal Secretary, Endowments, I.V. Subba Rao, in his response, explained how the Government was trying to effect changes in the system by constituting an Advisory Council for temple administration, a Sanatana Dharma Parishat and the plans on the anvil to amend the Endowments Act. He said that an amendment Bill would be introduced in the next session of Assembly.

Also, Mr. Rao said it was proposed to have a ‘Nigamama Parishad’ and an Institute of Temple Management to handle training needs and chalk out modules. He recalled his days as Executive Officer, Tirumala – Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD), when a comprehensive training programme was chalked out to increase awareness among the 13,000-odd employees of TTD.

Among those who criticised the Government, were Ramachari, president, State Archaka Sangam, Goparaju Venkateswarlu, president, Viswadharma Parishad, Guntur and R. Krishnaiah, president, AP Backward Classes Association. All of them stressed the need for every Hindu to come together to propagate Hindu principles, protect the 32,000-odd temples in the State.