Women Group uncover corruption in temple through RTI

Woman Group have brought out
alleged misappropriation of fund to the tune of Rs 1.3 crore
in a temple fund using RTI, resulting in the suspension of an
official and initiation of investigation by the state police
into the matter.
Nargis Bahar (42), an RTI activist along with her group in the Kakatpur
village, were approached by the locals with complaints of
alleged corrupt practices by an official of the 'Maa Mangala'
temple.
"They had mismanaged and misappropriated the trust
properties and money of the temple," Bahar, also a leader of the Self Help Group (SHG) at Kakatpur, said.
'Maa Mangala' Temple located in the Puri district
attracts lakhs of devotees from all over the world.
Situated at a distance of 50 km from the temple city of
Puri, Kakatpur's renowned 'Maa Mangala' temple is visited by
the priests of the Jagannath temple during the 'Navakalebara'
festival to seek the blessings of the presiding deity.
Bahar's application resulted into drawing of immediate
attention of the authorities. The audit report, received as an
answer to her application, has revealed that about Rs 1.3
crores of funds were not accounted by the officials.
Bahar filed the RTI application after devotees thronging
the temple complained of inadequate public amenities in the
temple.
Quoting from the RTI reply, Bahar said, "There are a
number of irregularities observed in the audit. To cite a few,
Mohanty during his tenure had collected an amount of Rs
16,65,750 from auction of temple shops during 2006-2007, of
which he deposited only Rs 9,48,675 in the temple's savings
account at Puri Gramya Bank of Kakatpur."
Similarly on March 2005, he collected Rs 2,82,800 towards
arrear 'Bhog' and deep shop auction and never deposited that
amount. The executive officer during 2005-06 collected Rs
2,63,352 from 'Hundi' box and public was not invited during
opening of the box. He has not shown any income from 'Hundi'
box in 2006-07. He has not shown any income from amount
collected through the box in cash book, she said quoting the
RTI reply.
The temple is registered under the Religious Endowments
Act 1863, with its activities administered by a board of
non-hereditary trustees, not exceeding five members to be
appointed by the Commissioner of Endowments.
"Reply to my application shows that three temple trust
executives including Sukanta Kumar Jena, ex-district Inspector
of Endowments, who was executive officer of the temple trust
board from 2003 to 2004, Ugrasen Jena who held the post during
2004-2005 and Pramod Kumar Mohanty, from 2005 to 2008 were
involved in the bungling," Bahar told PTI.
The audit report procured by Bahar in an answer to her
reply shows that misappropriation of about 68 lakhs allegedly
happened in the tenure of Sukanta Kumar Jena and Ugrasen Jena
while Rs 62 lakhs were unaccounted during Pramod Kumar
Mohanty's tenure.
"The temple earns in crores from donations and offerings
including income from around 100 acres of lands and other
shops owned by the temple trust," Bahar said adding, "the
temple authorities could have utilised the money to improve
the shortcomings of this popular temple".
Following the revelation in July this year, the
allegations prompted the authorities to take action and
Mohanty was suspended by the Endowment Commissioner L Panda.
A police inquiry into the matter was also initiated by the
authorities.
"I knew that the temple earned a lot, but I wanted to
ensure that the money was spent in enhancing public facilities
at the famous and revered temple which witnesses more than a
lakh devotees every year from across the world," she said.