Devasthan and Dharmik Sanstha Mahasangh (Karnataka) demands concerned officials to take action against erring officials
We are the Governing members of Devasthan and Dharmik Sanstha Mahasangh, Karnataka. We work for the protection of Temples, monuments, safeguard the interest of Temple properties and spread awareness of Hindu culture amongst Hindu society.
During the recent meeting of our committee members, we had the occasion to go through the Audit Reports of Shri Kolluru Mookambika Temple. The reports have been obtained under the Right to Information Act. We were shocked to see the mismanagement, irregularities and possibilities of fraud in the affairs of the Temple.
1. Most shocking behaviour of the temple officers/employees is that they have not bothered to address the audit objections. The Muzrai Department Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner of the concerned District have also not bothered to look into the matter and thus, the grave issues are kept pending and more issues are being added year on year. This seems to be a method to loot the temple coffers with impunity!
2. Long pending advances – The temple has given advances to the contractors for various works
A. Perusal of 2004 accounts showed that an amount of 2.41 Crore was pending outstanding since then. Instead of the advances decreasing, by recovering or adjusting the amount, they kept on advancing further amounts now which has increased to 2.83 Crores in year 2018-19.
B. There are no details as to whom and for what purpose amounts are advanced. No details have been provided to the Government Auditor while auditing these accounts nor has any proper explanation given. Bills have not been provided either.
C. The advances have been issued without taking permission of the competent authorities.
D. In all possibility, the amounts advanced will be siphoned off by the officers.
3. The authorities disbursed wages/salaries to fictitious employees; no proper register of employees is maintained
A. There are no details of the employees of the Temple, despite detailed provisions made u/s 13 of the Endowment Board Act. Their identification details, KYC details, birth dates etc are not maintained by the temple authorities.
B. The Authorities have not registered with PF commissioner with regards to details of the employees engaged and also not remitted PF amount as such the Commissioner has imposed a fine of Rs. 7,46,355/- to temple authorities.
C. It indicates that the employees are fictitious and concocted salaries have been paid to such non existent employees
4. Gold and Jewellery records deliberately not maintained
The authorities have not maintained registers as required under act about the donations received by way of Gold and Silver jewellery. The donated items have not been properly valued by certified valuer to ascertain the accurate value.
This is serious, considering 4.20 Kg Gold Jewellery was stolen by the then Executive Officer for which an FIR was registered in 2016. The situation has not changed since.
5. No proper details of land and other assets
The temple authorities have not maintained the details of land and other assets belonging to Temples.
6. The list of misdemeanours continues…
With these and such issues of gross negligence which may involve fraud of hundreds of crores…
1. The Temple has donated money to others – without sanction, without receipts coming from the donees
2. Temple made various expenditures – which are neither supported by bills/vouchers – nor have any efforts are made to address the problem despite of auditor stating about the same.
3. From 2005- 2018 the temple paid for the school uniforms amounting to Rs. 53.93 Lakhs. However, the receipts and utilization certificates are absent. In fact, the temple authorities should have audited the schools to find out whether the temple money was utilized properly, instead even the proper receipts have not been obtained.
4. In 2011-12 Temple authorities paid Rs. 2,35,555/- to purchase Bucket & Dustbin for the Guesthouse. How many buckets and dustbins would come in such an amount and how many are actually required? The entire expenditure was neither budgeted nor were comparative rate cards obtained before spending the amount.
5. DC house telephone bills are paid from temple funds for 2018 to the tune of Rs. 23,363/- though he is entitled to the payment by the govt of Karnataka. The reasons have not been assigned for having made the payment. It is also required to be seen as to whether there are double claims, whereby one claim amount is siphoned off.
7. The income from the guest houses are not properly accounted as such there dues of Rs. 21.52 lacs as on 31.3.2018, which is a huge loss to the Temple fund.
8. The auditor has kept transactions amounting to Rs. 21.80 Crores under Objections and has expected recovery of Rs. 84.96 lacs which is outstanding.
9. Kindly note that these observations are based upon the audit reports which contain graver issues and therefore you are requested to launch an independent probe into the matter.
There are numerous lapses on the part of the Temple authorities while carrying out day to day administration which are clear from the audit reports which are available with your office.
Therefore we expect you to take immediate and prompt action in accordance with the law so that such instances are not repeated in future.
Source : Press Release
