Karnataka govt issues SOP for security, transparency of donations at state-run temples

Bengaluru, Jul 13 (PTI) The Karnataka government has issued an SOP aimed at ensuring the security, transparency, and accountability of donations at state-run temples. The SOP makes it mandatory to install CCTV or web cameras, promotes digital payment systems through QR codes for donations, and prescribes several other measures. The Standard Operating Procedures were issued days after Chief Minister D K Shivakumar last week directed officials to install CCTV cameras in all major temples associated with the Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments (Muzrai) Department across the state, following allegations of embezzlement of donations received at the Ram temple in Ayodhya. "It has come to the notice of the authorities that incidents of theft from temple donation boxes (hundis) have been reported in various states across the country and have been widely covered in different media," the government circular said. "Further, cases of theft and misuse of cash and valuables during the counting of hundi collections and maintenance of accounts in temples under the jurisdiction of the Department of Religious Endowments in the State have also been observed," it said. In this context, officials concerned have been directed to implement precautionary measures to protect movable assets belonging to temples across the state. The measures include identifying suitable locations within temple premises, installing hundis in places clearly visible to the public, and providing adequate security. It is mandatory to install CCTV/web cameras covering the Hundis from all four directions. The recorded footage shall be securely stored on a server. The CCTV feeds shall be monitored by the Muzrai section in the offices of the DC and sub-divisional officers. Since CCTV cameras and DVRs already installed in temples are being stolen, disabled, or damaged, and because thefts are being committed by lighting camphor to deposit carbon on the camera lens and obstruct visibility, CCTV web cameras should be installed to prevent such incidents, it said. A central server shall be installed at the headquarters of the department of religious endowments. Necessary arrangements shall be made by the department to monitor the cameras installed in all temples through web cameras, with the footage stored and supervised centrally. In the interest of security, the CCTV/web camera systems installed in temples shall be connected to the offices of the respective DC, SP, and local police stations. Dashboards shall be provided in police control rooms to facilitate continuous monitoring of the camera feeds. To reduce incidents such as pickpocketing in crowded temple premises when devotees carry cash or bags, all temples shall promote digital payment systems by installing QR codes for donations. The QR code display shall also include details of the concerned bank, such as the IFSC code and other relevant banking information, it added. To ensure transparency, ease of use, a proper audit trail, and improved financial management, the digital payment system shall be integrated with the temple's accounting system. QR codes shall be installed only at locations where the hundi is placed. To ensure the mandatory participation of revenue department officials during Hundi counting, the dates shall be scheduled in advance and included in the official calendar. For temples receiving large volumes of donations and offerings, hundi counting shall be conducted once every week. For temples receiving moderate or regular donations and offerings, counting shall be conducted once every two weeks, the circular said, adding that the counting process shall be conducted under the supervision of the tahsildar concerned. Any gold, silver, or other valuable articles received during counting shall be valued on the same day and, under appropriate supervision, deposited in the concerned district treasury or sub-treasury on the same day. To verify the presence of staff and officials participating in the counting process, a face recognition system shall be implemented. All staff and officials shall declare the amount of cash in hand they are carrying before entering the Hundi counting area, it said. From the opening of the hundi until the counted cash is handed over to the bank, the entire process shall be mandatorily video recorded, with the date and time clearly captured in the recording. Instead of engaging members of the public for hundi counting, the services of home guards, bank staff, or government employees shall be used mandatorily, it further said. In the event of theft during counting or theft from the hundis, the temple officials concerned and the responsible taluk-level officers shall be held directly accountable. The local police inspector/station house officer shall periodically review the live CCTV feeds and security arrangements at major temples and other categories of religious institutions, the circular said. The officer shall coordinate with the temple management, the DC concerned, and the department of religious endowments to ensure that appropriate preventive and corrective measures are implemented. It also calls for constituting a district-level review Committee under the chairmanship of the DC, which shall meet at least once every month to review fire safety preparedness and compliance, the functionality and adequacy of CCTV surveillance systems, among other things. Local revenue officials, police officers, officials of the department of religious endowments, local authorities, and other officials concerned shall jointly visit temples at least once every 15 days to conduct on-site inspections. For all major category 'A' and category 'B' temples, the DC, SP/police commissioner, and CEO of the zilla panchayat, along with other officials concerned, shall conduct joint inspections once every three months. The DC shall submit a consolidated monthly compliance and inspection report to the government through the department of religious endowments. PTI KSU SSK