On 22nd February 2017, the whole nation woke up to an unpredictable news, that Telangana CM K Chandrashekar Rao has offered Gold ornaments worth Rs 5.45 crore, weighing around 18.85 kg, to the presiding deities of Tirumala and Tiruchanur, Venkateswara and Padmavati.
The Chief Minister of Telangana, Sri K Chandrashekar Rao along with his family members, state Ministers and top bureaucrats visited Tirumala on 22nd February 2017 and made these Gold offerings which includes a Sudarshana saligrama haram (a golden necklace weighing 14.85 kg) and an Aidu petala kantabharanam (a necklace having five loops, weighing 4 kg) for Venkateswara.
Some news portals reported that this huge high value donation puts the Telangana chief minister among a list of wealthy individuals who have made large donations to the popular deity of Tirumala. However, it is pertinent here to bring to fore the fact that, this Rs 5.45 crore worth offering was made officially by the Government of Telangana and KCR merely brought the offerings on behalf of the Government as a state head. Hence it cannot be dubbed that this offering was CM’s personal vow for the fact that the entire amount of Rs 5.45 crore were drawn from the ‘common good fund’ of Department of Endowments, Telangana State
This decision was neither taken over night nor was a recent one. The relevant G.O M S No 23/dt 24th February 2015 was issued exactly 2 years ago, i.e. in February 2015. This GO specifically empowers the Govt to draw the estimated funds from the ‘Common good fund’ of endowment Department of Telangana State, but not from the revenue treasury.
Social media went on a rampage against KCR, trending with hashtag #KCRFailedTelangana. The whole opposition particularly the Congress attacked KCR and went on a fault-finding tirade against KCR for using state ‘s exchequer and taxpayers money for fulfilling personal wows. However, the reality is, this amount of Rs 5.45 crore is not tax revenue of TS, but pious donations made by various Hindu temples, and related charitable trusts.
Let’s have a cursory look at the relevant provisions of the ‘Common good fund’.
1) The Common Good Fund is created under Section 70(1)(a) of End Act from the contributions made by the Charitable and Hindu Religious Institutions whose annual income exceeds Rs. 50,000.
2) The funds are strictly to be utilized for (1) Renovation, Preservation, Maintenance of Hindu temples in needy circumstances, (2) Dhoopa Deepa Naivedyam to needy temples, (3) Establishment and maintenance of Veda Pathasalas, Agama Pathasalas and Schools for training, in Archakatwam, Adhyapapaktwam etc.,
The Common Good Fund Committee has evolved certain guidelines for granting funds to the needy temples as under:
Temples whose gross annual income exceeds Rs.5.00 lakhs are not eligible for CGF grant.
For the construction of new small Hindu temples in weaker section housing colonies.
This fund is primarily meant for Hindu temples which are unattended and in dilapidated condition to meet renovation expenses or which are in Good condition structurally though, but unable to carry on day to day pooja and aarthi chorus due to paucity of funds. But in no way this fund can be misused or diverted for personal gratification.
After all, majority of Hindu Temples income comes from devotee’s donations, hundi collections etc. These collections in turn making in to ‘Common good fund’ and is strictly meant for renovation of Hindu temples that are in bad condition particularly in rural areas.
Hence one can vouch for the fact that, KCR has grossly misused this CG fund, splurging it in arrogant manner is condemnable. It can be argued that KCR has after all spent this fund for a popular Hindu temple i.e. Tirupati Balaji, and hence cannot be said to have misused. However, spending money from the fund on dead capital asset like Gold, deviating from the very objective, is undoubtedly amounts to fudging.
More than atheists, rationalists, left or right liberals, it is plainly the duty of Hindu intellectuals to take up this gross swindle of funds by politicians which are exclusively meant for renovation of dilapidated Hindu temples situated outside corporation areas, like rural and remote villages.
It’s our (Hindu elite) duty to guard such funds, which were exclusively instituted and endowed for the welfare and revamping of ancient or otherwise Hindu Temples from misuse by the politicians.
Needless to reiterate here, a Hindu temple complex and its precincts were all designed with utmost care in conformity with Aagama Sashtra’ and Vaasthu. So, the very ambiance in a Hindu temple provides succour to devotees, purify the thoughts and devotees come out of the precincts rejuvenated.
Hence protecting ancient Hindu Temples which are dilapidated condition is the duty of every Hindu, beyond belief and faith, as these temples are not confined to devotional meeting point but every temple was charged with positive energy, created by the very design as per Aagama Sashtra.
KCR is no doubt pushy when it comes to his beliefs!
The right side of KCR is very puzzling too. He never hesitates to visit temples, perform Yagna and Poojas, in a grandeur manner. Ever since he ascended the throne of CM of newly formed Telangana State, he made it a point to celebrate native Hindu festivity in gaiety even in Government offices. But no eye brows were raised when State Government offices openly celebrate native cultural festivals. it is because of the fact that KCR since been very friendly with minority MIM party.
However Hindu vigilante groups should take up this issue and file a complaint against the CM, for misuse of funds meant for renovation work of Hindu temples.
