Press conference held by Hindu Vidhidnya Parishad (HVP) at Mumbai and Pune
- HVP warns of giving legal fight for protection of temple money
- Ill effects of takeover of temples by Govt ! Look at the earlier kings giving donations to temples for ‘Dharmaprasar’ whereas today’s corrupt politicians are looting money donated by devotes in temples !
- Material required for security provided by police ! Demand to conduct inquiry through high-level committee and stringent action against the guilty ! Material not returned to the Shrine even after 3 years since ‘Simhastha Kumbha-Mela’ !
Mumbai : Shri Saibaba Sansthan, Shirdi had purchased some material for police as per their demand for providing security so as to control the huge crowd expected to visit ‘Kumbh-Mela’ held at Nasik in the year 2015. This material was purchased at very high price and there was misappropriation of Rs. 66, 55,997/-. Rs. 500 crores were also given by this Shrine from their funds for Nilwande dam and canal project in Nagar district. BJP Government had declared that it would arrest the guilty involved in the water irrigation scam of worth Rs. 70,000 crores committed during Congress regime and the misappropriated amount would be recovered from them but BJP Government has neither recovered any amount so far nor has it taken action against the guilty. It has thus followed the steps of Congress. We do not agree that money donated by devotees should be used because there is no money in Government’s coffers. We shall therefore, give legal fight for protection of temples’ funds. The above warning was given by advocate Virendra Ichalkaranjikar, the national President of HVP during the press conference held here on 24th May by Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) at Mumbai Marathi Patrakar Sangh. Shri. Satish Kocharekar, spokesperson of HJS and Sanatan Sanstha’s Sou. Sunita Patil was also present on the occasion.
Advocate Virendra Ichalkaranjikar said further, “In the balance sheet submitted by BJP for the financial year 2016-17 to Election Commission, the amount by way of income has been shown as Rs.15.28 crores. If BJP wants to do social work, they should spend their own party’s money; instead they are spending temple money. What right do they have to touch temple money ? BJP is thus behaving in the same manner as Congress was doing.”
Shocking revelations found under RTI
1. The estimated rates quoted by the office of Nagar Superintendent of Police for material required for police were different from the very high rates at which the material was purchased; e.g. Manila rope (10000 metres) estimated to cost Rs. 60,000/- was bought for Rs. 18.50 lakhs; rechargeable torches worth Rs. 400/- per piece was purchased for Rs. 3000/- per piece; Sign-board costing Rs. 2000/- was bought for Rs. 9200/-, tarpaulin worth Rs. 5000/- was purchased for Rs.22,575/-. Thus, there was unnecessary expenditure worth Rs.66, 55, 997/-. (Will the Shrine’s manager spend 3 to 5 times more money for buying anything for personal use ? It is quite clear that there is a gang operating to grab money collected in temples which is donated by devotees. – Editor, Dainik Sanatan Prabhat)
2. In the year 2015, material given to Shirdi police for use, has not still been taken back by Shridi shrine. The shrine didn’t ask for report on use of tarpaulin, ropes etc nor did the police give any report to the shrine. Sai Sansthan has claimed that the material would be used during centenary ‘Sai Maha-samadhi’ festival to be celebrated in the year 2018. Material bought in 2015 to be claimed as for use in 2018 is clear misappropriation and there is possibility of such purchases only on paper. (It shows that the Govt. has no control over unaccountable management of Shri Saibaba Sansthan. – Editor, Dainik Sanatan Prabhat)
3. Maharashtra Government has called for explanation through letter dated December 16, 2016 but the Sansthan has not bothered to reply even after 1-1/2 years. (It shows insolence of office-bearers of the Sansthan and their not giving any importance to Govt’s letter; so also Govt.’s carelessness and insincerity. – Editor, Dainik Sanatan Prabhat)
