Temple properties to be surveyed

Mangaluru: The state government has plans to commence a

comprehensive land survey

to ascertain the properties belonging to

muzrai temples

in the state. The department will carry out the survey jointly in association with revenue and other departments, said minister for ports, fisheries, inland transport and muzrai

Kota Srinivas Poojary

.

He said the muzrai department has taken a decision to conduct a comprehensive survey in the wake of complaints regarding encroachment of temple properties. “We have our own surveyors in the department. However, more surveyors are required to carry out such a state-wide survey of temple properties. Hence, we have decided to avail the services of surveyors from the revenue department and also from other departments. The proposal to conduct a survey is still in the initial stage, and it will be commenced after discussions,” the minister said.

He said there are 191 A Grade temples in the state, which are generating income of more than Rs 25 lakh per year. The survey will be carried out in all temples under A, B and C grades in the state, he added.

On the salaries of temple staff, he said the government has decided to revise the payment schedule as per the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations. “It is a long pending demand to revise the salaries of 1,111 employees in muzrai department as per the Sixth Pay Commission recommendations. We have decided to pay them salaries as per the recommendation, but not exceeding 35% of a particular temple’s income,” Poojary said, adding that the payment as per Sixth Pay Commission recommendations is being made to employees in some of the A grade temples in the state.

To avoid delays in the payment of salary to employees, the department has decided to transfer the money to their bank accounts.