Villagers favour committee to utilise Mandi temple funds

Tribune News Service

Mandi, June 19

Concerned about the upkeep of Mahamrityunjaya temple in Mandi town, which is one of the oldest Lord Shiva temples in the state, the local people are demanding constitution of a temple committee for its conservation.

They alleged that there was a massive embezzlement of funds, which was being offered by devotees round the year.

The temple was taken over by the state government in April 2016 to end misuse of funds, but the problem continues.

Shakti Chand Chauhan, a local resident, said the state government had appointed a temple officer from the Revenue Department to collect the amount offered by devotees and ornaments of different metals, but there had been no account in the public domain.

Sarita Handa, former councilor of the Mandi Municipal Council, said information retrieved under the Right to Information Act revealed that the offering by devotees was shown less in comparison to the previous years.

“We have submitted a memorandum to Mandi Deputy Commissioner Rugved Thakur to look into the matter and ensure representation of locals in the temple committee,” she said.

Madan Kumar, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Mandi, refuted allegations and said after the state government took over the custody of the temple, the savings amount of the temple earnings had crossed up to Rs 20 lakh.

“Tehslidar is the temple officer and monitors the earnings and we have provided round the clock security at the temple premises. Renovation of the temple has also been done. I have directed the temple authorities to ensure counting of offerings and ornaments in front of the Tehsildar or Naib Tehsildar in future as people have alleged that it is being done by a lower rank revenue officer (kanungo),” he said.