Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Thursday stirred controversy by announcing that, prompted by alleged irregularities in the handling of donations at the Ram Mandir, the state government has decided to install CCTV cameras in front of hundis (donation boxes) in all temples managed by the Muzrai Department to ensure transparency and prevent misuse of devotees' donations.
He announced this at a press conference following the Belagavi Division Progress Review Meeting at Suvarna Vidhana Soudha. The statement is likely to trigger a political debate in the state. "The irregularities reported in connection with the Ram Mandir have hurt the sentiments of devotees.
People made donations with faith, but the funds were allegedly misused in the name of religion. Therefore, our government has decided to make CCTV surveillance mandatory in front of hundis in all temples under the Muzrai Department," Shivakumar said.
He said the surveillance system would also cover the locations where donations are collected, opened and counted. "The CCTV footage from the hundis, cash collection and counting centres will be linked to the offices of the Superintendent of Police and the Deputy Commissioner to ensure complete transparency and accountability," he added.
Shivakumar clarified that the state government's flagship guarantee schemes would continue despite concerns raised in the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report over alleged misuse of welfare benefits. "The CAG report has revealed instances of misuse of the guarantee schemes.
Hundreds of crores of rupees have allegedly been disbursed in the names of deceased persons. To prevent such irregularities, we are carrying out a fresh verification of beneficiaries under the Gruha Lakshmi and Gruha Jyothi schemes," he said. He asserted that the verification exercise was intended only to eliminate fraudulent beneficiaries and would not affect genuine recipients.
"We will not discontinue any of the guarantee schemes under any circumstances. Every eligible beneficiary will continue to receive the benefits. None of the programmes approved during Siddaramaiah's government will be stopped," the Chief Minister said.
Referring to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, the Chief Minister said the government has issued necessary guidelines to protect the voting rights of eligible citizens. "The right to vote is a fundamental democratic right. To help eligible voters, residence certificates will be issued to those who have resided in a place for 10 years, wherever required.
We have also enabled citizens to download 4.50 crore caste certificates. Assistance centres will be set up at every polling booth to help people complete the necessary formalities. Protecting every citizen's voting rights is our responsibility," he said.