Is the Andhra Government's Allocation of Temple Lands Without Auction a Threat to Cultural Heritage?

Amaravati, May 30 (NationPress) The YSR Congress Party, which serves as the opposition in Andhra Pradesh, has expressed strong disapproval of the coalition government led by the TDP regarding its recent decision to allocate temple lands without conducting transparent public auctions.

Senior YSRCP leader and former MLA Malladi Vishnu stated on Friday that the government order issued earlier this month, which amends the Andhra Pradesh Charitable and Hindu Religious Institutions and Endowments Immovable Properties and Other Rights (Other than Agricultural Lands) Leases and Licenses Rules, 2003, represents a malicious attempt to exploit the sacred assets of the state's temples, which are integral to Andhra Pradesh’s cultural and spiritual legacy.

Vishnu emphasized that the Endowments Department oversees 4.67 lakh acres of temple lands, a sacred trust designed to support religious institutions. He criticized the TDP government, under Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu, for allowing the leasing of these lands to selected organizations under the guise of "charitable activities" for periods of up to 33 years at nominal rates, sidestepping the essential public auction process.

He alleged that this action contravenes both High Court and Supreme Court mandates, which require auctions for leasing temple lands and prior judicial approval for any transfers.

By ignoring these legal protections, Vishnu contended, the TDP government is putting the financial health of temples at risk, as public auctions ensure competitive bidding that maximizes revenue for their welfare.

The former MLA noted that the issuance of G.O. No. 139 without cabinet approval raises significant questions regarding transparency and accountability. He accused the government of executing a deliberate scheme to allocate assets worth thousands of crores to favored institutions and allies.

Vishnu recalled a similar incident during the TDP's governance from 2014 to 2019, where attempts were made to seize 83.11 acres of Sadavarti Satram land near Chennai for a mere Rs 22.44 crore. Thanks to YSRCP’s legal battle, which was aided by Supreme Court intervention, a re-auction took place that generated Rs 60.33 crore, highlighting the critical importance of auctions in safeguarding temple interests. He warned that the current policy, with 87,000 acres of temple lands already encroached upon and only 1.60 lakh acres generating revenue, is likely to repeat such scams on a grander scale.

Expressing solidarity with religious organizations, Hindu Dharma protection groups, and concerned citizens, the YSRCP leader echoed their call for the immediate retraction of G.O. No. 139. He pledged that YSRCP would explore all legal options to protect temple lands, refusing to allow the TDP government to distribute these sacred assets like "lentils and jaggery" or permit them to "vanish like camphor in offerings."

Vishnu urged the citizens of Andhra Pradesh, devotees, and stakeholders to unite with YSRCP in opposing this policy and called on the government to maintain transparency by conducting public auctions and adhering to judicial rulings.