Hindu temple trusts to have 50 percent Women, BC, SC & STs in Andhra Pradesh

Amaravati: For the first time, the Government of Andhra Pradesh has amended the state endowments act enabling 50 percent reservation in appointments all temples and religious Trust boards. Accordingly, all the trust boards of any temple that comes under the purview of endowments department shall be filled with 50 percent reservation to SC, ST and BC members. Further, 50 percent of total nominated members shall be women. GO MS No.394 released in this regard by the Special Chief Secretary Manmohan Singh on Friday. .

On the other hand, an ordinance is issued through the Governor to increase the number of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) Trust Board members from 16 to 25, excluding four Ex-Officio members.

Taking the premier temple TTD as a case study, one could understand that there would be at least 13 women belonged to General Category, SC, ST and BC in the Board out of full 25 members body. At the same time, there would be 13 members from SC, ST and BC and the government may appoint the General Category members in the remaining vacancies.

Reacting on it, the BJP state president Kanna Lakshminarayana stated that the government should ensure that only the people who trust and practice Hindu religion to be nominated as board members. Otherwise, the sentiments of Hindus would hurt and there would be serious repercussions.