Activist Opposes Proposal to Use SRIVANI Trust Funds
Social activist and Jal Biradari national convenor Bolisetty Satyanarayana has objected to the proposed utilisation of SRIVANI (Sri Venkateswara Aalayala Nirmanam) Trust funds for the Temple Town Development Plan.
In a statement issued on Saturday, he said infrastructure development around major temples was a legitimate objective, but such initiatives should be financed through State funds or with assistance from the Union Government under the PRASHAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive) scheme.
Mr. Satyanarayana alleged that donations made by devotees to the SRIVANI Trust for specific religious purposes could not be diverted for broader urban development works.
Referring to the Andhra Pradesh High Court judgment in Tallapakam Raghavan vs State of Andhra Pradesh [1997(2)ALT17], he said the State Government, Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) Board, and the Executive Officer function only as administrators of temple properties and not as owners.
He said the court had made it clear that trustees could not take decisions contrary to the interests of the deity, Lord Venkateswara.
According to him, funds contributed for temple construction, renovation, and Dharma Prachara must be used strictly for those stated purposes. Any diversion towards civic amenities or tourism infrastructure would amount to a breach of the faith reposed by devotees, he said.
Mr. Satyanarayana maintained that the State was free to allocate its own budget for roads, public amenities, and development of temple towns, but SRIVANI Trust funds were not part of government revenue.
He also said religious institutions should remain insulated from political interference. Decisions relating to trust funds, he added, must be taken by an autonomous board of trustees in accordance with spiritual needs and the objectives laid down in the trust deed.
He urged the government to draw a clear distinction between public development expenditure and religious trust resources.