Write Comment     |     E-Mail To a Friend     |     Facebook     |     Twitter     |     Print

The existing tiff between the government appointed administrator and the temple priest over the authority on Kateel Durgaparameshwarai temple administration, has resulted in an uncertainty over taking decisions even on implementing the orders of the deputy commissioner, who is in charge of endowment matters in the district. 

Recently, Mangalore City Corporation Commissioner Ajith Kumar Hegde who is also the Administrator of the temple, smelt a foul play in maintenance of accounts of ‘Hannu-Kayi’ (banana and coconut offerings) department of the temple. It was found that the temple employees who were in-charge of the ‘Hannu-Kayi’ section have not maintained registry of ‘Hannu-Kayi’ purchased, stocked and issued to devotees for last three months.

Suspecting misappropriation, the temple administrator issued show-cause notice to two employees at ‘Hannu-Kayi’ stall and issued memo to two other employees working as store keepers.

 However, his action was questioned by temple’s Joint Administrator Vasudeva Asranna, who wrote a letter to Administrator Ajith Hegde raising doubts over validity of the show-cause notice and memo. He raised objection over the administrator’s decision to issue show cause notice, without obtaining his permission.

It could be noted that the temple which was administered by the management committee led by the government appointed administrator, got a joint administrator three months ago. Deputy commissioner N Prakash and Administrator Ajith Hegde decided to give the power of joint administration to Vasudeva Asranna owing to the long pending demand of the temple priest’s family.

On receiving the provision to act as a joint signatory for taking decisions on temple management, Asranna has now questioned the temple administrator, for taking a decision overlooking his power.

Default worth Rs 5 lakh?

Speaking to Deccan Herald, Administrator Ajith Kumar Hegde suspected misappropriation approximately worth Rs five lakh in the ‘Hannu-Kayi’ department. “I have found that the temple employees have not maintained cash book and registry of the department for last three months, which would be considered as gross irregularity. I have not examined the previous registry and there are chances of default for long run. The extent of default would be known only after conducting a detailed inquiry,” he said.

Commenting on the tiff between him and the joint administrator, he said the decision on issuing show-cause notice was taken after the temple management committee in its meeting passed a resolution on the same.

“There is no provision for joint signature while issuing show-cause notice. As the temple administrator, I have issued the notice and the deputy commissioner has also written a letter ordering to suspend two of the temple employees. But, the joint administrator has not accepted my decision to suspend the employees. However, I would take suo-moto action and suspend the employees if the joint administrator continues to oppose the decision,” he stated.

On the other hand, Joint Administrator Vasudeva Asranna said that he has opposed the decision of the administrator, as it was unilateral. “The administrator has seized the registry and records of the ‘Hannu-Kayi’ department and is demanding for sign without showing me any records. There are several loopholes in his decision including that the administrator has only decided to suspend two employees, while there are eight employees in ‘Hannu-Kayi’ section. Issuing show-cause notice is nothing but procedural lapse on the part of the administrator,” he said.

He declared that he would approach the court if the administrator takes suo-moto decision to suspend the employees.