HASSAN: Minister for Endowment and Muzrai Nagaraj Shetty visited Malekal Tirupathi temple in Arsikere on Monday and consoled family members of two watchmen Bhyrappa and Ganganna who were murdered by unknown persons in early hours on Saturday. The Minister paid a cheque of Rs. 50,000 to Jayamma-widow of Bhyrappa and Rs. 25,000 each to Nagaraju and Basavaraju-sons of Ganganna from the temple committee.

Addressing presspersons at Arsikere, Nagaraj Shetty said that a sum of Rs. 6 crore was set aside for rejuvenating and developing 1,500 ancient temples in the State besides releasing funds for providing salary for archaks working in 26,000 temples. The Government had formed the "Ithihasika Karnataka Samskruthi Samrakshana Samiti" for construction of temples and prayer halls and released Rs. 10 crore for the purpose.

Temple development

The Minister said that there are 38,625 ancient temples in the State and they would be developed on priority.

The temples would be developed through Aradhana Committees at the taluk level. For this purpose Rs. 11 lakh would be released every year from the MLA's local area development fund.

He said the archaks and watchmen in temples would be brought under the preview of insurance and Yashaswini health insurance scheme.

The Minister regretted that some important temples in the State were under the preview of the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) who was not cooperating with the State for development of these temples.

Security

He would convene a meeting of senior officers from the State and ASI and steps would be taken to develop these temples. Special attention would be given to security of temples where the number of devotees was more. He would also discuss with Home Minister M.P. Prakash about setting up police outposts in all temples. Government also plans to construct dormitories for devotees.

The Minister said the Government would implement Justice Rama Jois Committee report on development of temples in the State.

Government grants

He lauded religious institutions and maths that are spreading education besides providing food. Government would release grants to these institutions, he added.

Nagaraj Shetty said Rs. 25 crore was set aside this year for fisheries activities. Arsikere MLA A.S. Basavaraju, Tahsildar Mruthunjaya and temple committee president S.V.T Babu were present.

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