Thousands of pilgrims who visit the famous temple of Lord Varasiddi Vinayaka Swami at Kanipakkam, third popular temple in Chittoor district after Tirumala and Srikalahasti, are subjected to open cheating at the chappals and cellphones depositing counters.
The unauthorised collection of amount might look small, but it runs into several crores a year. The officials of the temple devasthanam have stipulated collection of 50 paise per pair of chappal and Rs. 2 for a cellphone and Rs. 5 for a camera. But, the unauthorised collection is set at Rs. 3 per for chappals (Rs. 5 for new pairs), Rs. 10 for a mobile (Rs. 15 for a costly piece), and Rs. 25 per camera. On an average, the temple receives a crowd of over 20,000 daily, and double the crowd on peak days. During brahmotsavams and festive occasions, the daily rush peaks to a staggering one lakh. This ruthless practice at the counters, right in front of the temple, is said to be going on since for several years.
Those private persons running the counters strictly desist from displaying the boards mentioning the rates for the articles meant for depositing before entering the temple. The temple officials said that many times they had warned the counter operators to display the rate-list but it was never followed. A temple official said that the contractors do not even hesitate to launch physical attacks on the staff who insist on display of boards. Thoroughly supported by local political leaders, the men at the counters virtually rule the roost.
On most occasions, the pilgrims mistake the counters to be offering free service, on the lines of Tirumala and Srikalahasti temples, where depositing of chappals and electronic goods is absolutely free. While coming to collect their belongings, the pilgrims are shocked at the cheating. Those at the counters even go the extent of manhandling devotees and abusing them verbally. Irony is that, no official including the Executive Officer, will entertain any pilgrim with a complaint. The police too express their helplessness, but in turn suggesting the pilgrims to approach the temple officials.
In this backdrop, district Collector Siddarth Jain on October 28 directed the officials of the temple to display the boards with rates at the counters. On November 1, the temple officials arranged temporary boards at the counters. After taking snaps of the boards, they were removed immediately. A senior official said that the snaps were submitted to the Collector the same day.
The higher officials of the devasthanam are reluctant to comment on act of disregarding the Collector’s directions. When contacted, the Executive Officer, Mr. Purnachandra Rao said that he was suffering from ill-health.
