Rs 200 crore in 3 weeks: Post demonetisation, Andhra Pradesh hundis swell

VIJAYAWADA: Believe it or not, gods are laughing all the way to the bank! Post-demonetisation, temples across Andhra Pradesh have struck gold -big time in the last three weeks.
A conservative estimate of the endowments department says hundi collections since November 9 are set to record a whopping Rs 180-200 crore. A senior endowments official told TOI that major shrines, including Srisailam, Simhachalam, Vijayawada Kanaka Durga, Ahobilam, Mantralayam, Kotappakonda, Srikalahasti and Dwaraka Tirumala, have witnessed a huge rise in hundi revenue after demonetisation of high denomination notes.
Curiously, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams officials asserted that there wasn't any abnormal surge in hundi offerings.“Our hundi collection, on an average, is between Rs 2.5 crore and Rs 3 crore per day. The collection was normal except for a day in the last three weeks when it swelled to Rs 4.15 crore,“ a TTD official told TOI.
As Tirumala is a major pilgrim destination, daily counting takes place. But at several other temples, it's not the same.
“We will get a clear picture by December-end. Howe ver, there is a steep increase in hundi collections in all the temples,“ a senior official said. A part of the increased hundi offerings could be attributed to Karthika Masam, he stated. Since the old high denominations are accepted in banks for deposits till December 30, endowments officials said the trend will continue till then.
“Due to demonetisation, temples saw an unprecedented rise. On an average, there is 20 per cent increase and the trend is likely to continue till December 30,“ said K B Venkateswara Rao, endowments assistant commissioner, Guntur district.
Meanwhile, all the revenue generated at temples is being sent to various banks to ease cash crunch. “We are diverting every paisa of temple revenue to banks in adherence to the directions of CM N Chandrababu Naidu,“ officials said.