Temple assets in the hands of mighty sharks

Vijayawada,Nov 10: The city’s temple assets are in the hands of the mighty powers! Assets worth crores of rupees belonging to the Kanakadurga and Mallikarjuna Devastanams are in the grip of the city’s top industrialists,big babus and people's representatives.Obviously,the officials never dared to question the mighty.Just imagine,14 acres of prime land worth more than Rs 400 crore,in the heart of the city,has been in the hands of a local Educational Institute for years,just for a pittance and to be precise,it has been leased out for an annual revenue of just hold your breath---Rs 18,500!.The educational institution claims that it is imparting education to the poor students.

Everyone knows that no student gets a seat in the college unless he/she pays a hefty donation.Moreover, besides collecting huge capitation from the students it also leases out its auditorium for public functions like marriages and earns lakhs of rupees.Earlier, the High Court has ordered the management of the educational institute to vacate the site and hand it back to the Devasthanam. The management prayed for cancellation of the High Court order and secured status quo. But so far, the Devasthanam officials have not moved an inch and are keeping their fingers crossed over filing a counter due to pressure from the top bosses in the government.The less said the better about other lands belonging to the Devasthanam as it has no knowledge of its lease holders.

The Devastanam has 225 acres donated by devotees over the years. The lease holders repay only eight bags instead of 20 bags as agreed upon during the time of auction. As there is no proper supervision by the temple officials, the lease holders are having a field day!