Streamlining administration a big challange for new temple Executive Officer M. Padma

Vijayawada: Problems welcome M Padma, the new executive officer (EO) of Sri Durga Malleswara Swamyvarla Devasthanams. Slow pace development project works, allegations of corruption and negligence of temple officials are ruining the image of the temple. And, streamlining them is a big task for the new EO.
Controversies have become common at the Durga temple over last 10 years.Diversion of temple funds in the name of development works and harassment of employees have led to the transfers to former EOs.
Ex-EO Narasinga Rao got transferred after protests were held by temple employees on allegations of harassment of a temple priest. The state government appointed IAS officer A Surya Kumari before Krishna Pushkarams 2016 and asked her to solve the problems. Many employees working for years at the temple got transferred after she took charge and she brought reforms to develop queue lines.
Surya Kumari’s decisions of increasing Antharalaya darshan ticket from Rs 100 to Rs 300, discrepancies in the auction of sarees and allegations of corruption in Arjuna Street development came in for severe criticism from devotees. Vedic scholars opposed the commercialisation of rituals and special poojas ignoring the Yearly Vedic calendar. “ Higher officials in the Durga temple are ignoring Vedic rituals. Officials are ignoring Agama Shastra in the name of revenues and it is becoming a big problem,” says Hindu Dharma Parirakshana Samithi state convenor Y Jaganmohan Raju.
Differences between officials and temple trust board have intensified the controversies. Trust board members have expressed their anguish on the EO. Chairman of the trust board made allegations on Surya Kumari for hiding tender details of engineering works done for Bhavani Deeksha Viramana.
Allegations of tantrik puja and entry of unauthorised priests into the Antharalayam after the closure of the temple became controversial, and Hindu associations raised their voice against the EO. The state government removed Surya Kumari and ordered a detailed inquiry under the supervision of endowments commissioner Anuradha and the Vijayawada police.
“ New EO Padma should focus on protecting the traditions and rituals in the temple which came down the ages. Efforts to eradicate corruption and streamline the engineering works in the temple should be prioritised. Officials should focus on reducing the burden on devotees by revising the darshan ticket and parking fees,” says Raju.