Ex-Minister against selling temple lands

Machilipatnam, Andhra Pradesh, Apr 2 (UNI) Former Andhra Pradesh Endowments Minister Simhadri Satyanarayana today strongly opposed the state goverenment's reported move to sell temple lands and deposit the money in banks to generate income for temples to perform daily rituals.

Mr Satyanarayana told UNI that centuries back, philanthropists had donated lands to the temples for performing rituals and none had the right to sell them.Instead, the goverenment should take proper action to collect the lease amount and rents from the tenants.

He also voiced opposition to any diversion of TTD funds for other purposes by the government as it could hurt the sentiments of the devotees.

On the proposed ropeway project in Tirumala, the Former Minister opined it should be done in accordance with 'Agama Sastras.' UNI XR GM 1636