Belagavi, July 9 (IANS). Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Thursday said in view of alleged irregularities in the management of offerings at the Ram temple, the state government has decided to install CCTV cameras in front of hundis (donation boxes) in all temples under the Muzrai department to ensure transparency and prevent misuse of donations from devotees.
He made this announcement at a press conference after the Belagavi Division Progress Review Meeting held at Suvarna Vidhana Soudha in Belagavi. After his statement, political debate is likely to start in the state.
Shivakumar said, “Irregularities revealed in matters related to Ram temple have hurt the sentiments of the devotees. People donated with faith, but that money was allegedly misused in the name of religion, hence our government has decided to make CCTV surveillance mandatory in front of the hundi in all the temples under the Muzrai department.”
He said that this monitoring system will also be applicable at the places where donations are collected, opened and counted.
“CCTV footage of Hundi, cash collection and counting centers will be linked to the Superintendent of Police and Deputy Commissioner offices to ensure complete transparency and accountability,” the Chief Minister said.
Shivakumar also clarified that the major guarantee schemes of the state government will continue despite the Comptroller and Auditor General’s report revealing alleged misuse of benefits of welfare schemes.
He said, “The CAG report has revealed some cases of misuse of guarantee schemes. It is alleged that hundreds of crores of rupees were released even in the names of dead people. To prevent such irregularities, we are re-verifying the beneficiaries of Griha Lakshmi and Griha Jyoti schemes.”
He said that this verification process is only to remove fake beneficiaries and it will not affect the genuine beneficiaries.
The Chief Minister said, “We will not close the guarantee schemes under any circumstances. Every eligible beneficiary will continue to get its benefits. No scheme approved during the Siddaramaiah government will be closed.”
Referring to the revision of voter list under special intensive revision, Shivakumar said that the government has issued necessary guidelines to protect the voting rights of eligible citizens.
He said, “The right to vote is a fundamental right of democracy. To help eligible voters, wherever needed, residence certificates will be issued to people who have been living in a place for 10 years. We have also provided the facility to citizens to download 4.50 crore caste certificates.”
He said that help centers will be set up at every polling station, so that people can complete the necessary procedures. He said that it is the responsibility of the government to protect the voting rights of every citizen.
–IANS
AMT/DKP
