* *Vacancies Include Deputy Commissioner and Grade 1 & 3 EO Posts*
* *Approval for Hiring 200 Additional Vedic Staff*
* *Daily Annadanam (Annaprasadam) Scheme to be Implemented in 16 More Temples*
* *Master Plans to be Prepared for 23 Major Temples*
* *Temple Development Must Adhere to Agama Shastra*
* *Devotee Sentiments Must Be Respected in All Initiatives*
* *Only Vegetarian Hotels to Be Allowed on Temple Lands*
* *CM Chandrababu Reviews Endowments Department*
Amaravati, May 6, 2025: Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu has approved the filling up of 137 vacant posts in the Endowments Department, including key positions like Deputy Commissioners and Grade 1 & 3 Executive Officers. He directed officials to recruit for these five categories through direct recruitment: 6 Deputy Commissioners, 5 Assistant Commissioners, 6 Grade-1 EOs, 104 Grade-3 EOs, and 16 Junior Assistants. He stressed the need to complete this process swiftly to ensure efficient temple administration. The CM also approved filling nearly 200 vacancies for Vedic staff with qualified candidates. He held a detailed review of the department with officials at the Secretariat on Tuesday.
*Annadanam for Every Devotee:*
There are 23 major temples in the state, but daily Annadanam is currently offered in only seven — including Srisailam, Srikalahasti, Kanipakam, Vijayawada Durga Temple, Annavaram, Dwaraka Tirumala, and Simhachalam. The CM directed that the scheme be extended to the remaining 16 temples as well. “Annaparasadam (Annadanam) should be served with sanctity, ensuring taste, quality, and hygiene. The services of volunteers can be used. Surplus funds from the top seven temples can support temples that lack sufficient funds for this program. Standards must match those of the Tirumala Vengamamba Annadanam,” he said. The CM emphasized that Andhra Pradesh should become a model in Annadanam across India, and the quality of prasadam must also be maintained, with regular testing and preservation of each temple's unique traditions.
*Phased Temple Development:*
The CM instructed officials to prepare a phased development plan for all temples, beginning with master plans for 23 major temples in the first phase. These plans must comply with Agama Shastra and position temples as engines of growth for temple tourism. He proposed forming a committee to devise a comprehensive leasing policy to protect temple lands and generate revenue through commercial leasing, which should then be reinvested into temple development. He stressed, “In doing so, ensure that devotees' sentiments are not hurt. Only vegetarian hotels should be allowed on leased temple lands.”
*CCTV cameras in All Notified Temples:*
The CM proposed setting up a “Balaji Temple Construction Fund” to build one new temple per constituency. “Temples must be built and maintained; daily rituals should be ensured through active temple committees. Strict action must be taken against those who attack temples.” Currently, only temples with over ₹50,000 annual income have CCTV cameras. The CM instructed that CCTV systems be installed in all 24,538 notified temples under the 6C category.
*Focus on Srisailam Development:*
The CM noted that Srisailam is the only pilgrimage site in the country that houses both a Dwadasha Jyotirlinga and one of the Ashtadasha Shakti Peethas. He said it should be developed on par with Tirumala-Tirupati. Due to limited temple land availability in Srisailam, he advised a strategic and planned approach. He also emphasized caution in allocating land to private parties and said the government should construct accommodation facilities in the area.
*Greening and Cleanliness Initiatives:*
Steps have already been taken to promote greenery in all temples. “We’ve planted 19,000 saplings in 6A category temples. In coordination with the Forest Department, this will be extended to other temples as well. We’ve invited centralized sanitation tenders to ensure cleanliness,” officials informed the CM. “Online services for darshan, seva bookings, accommodation, and e-Hundi have been launched in 175 temples. WhatsApp-based governance services are being implemented in 22 temples, earning over ₹7 crore annually. Daily Krishna and Godavari harathis will continue as planned.”
*Over ₹1,300 Crore Annual Revenue:*
Temples in the state generate more than ₹1,300 crore annually, with ₹850 crore coming from the top seven temples alone. Temples earning over ₹5 lakh contribute 9% of their income to the Common Good Fund (CGF). For FY 2024-25, CGF collections stood at ₹149 crore, with ₹111 crore being used for 48 development projects across various temples. Of the total 25,028 notified temples. There are 169 are in the 6A category (earning over ₹50 lakh), 321 in the 6B category (earning ₹15–50 lakh), and 24,538 in the 6C category (earning under ₹15 lakh).
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