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Closed for darshan for nearly two months due to coronavirus lockdown, the revenues of Sri Venkateswara temple at Andhra Pradesh's Tirumala have hit the rock bottom but the body which runs the affairs of the world's richest temple said it has the reserves to pay salaries to its employees for May.
Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) Chairman Y. V. Subba Reddy told this agency that despite the crisis, it has the reserves to pay salaries for the month of May. He is also confident of mobilising resources to pay salaries and take care of other expenses for maintenance of the temple for the next month, if required.
The temple was closed for devotees on March 19, much before the announcement of lockdown. The TTD is losing almost Rs 200 crore revenue every month due to the closure.
"We get the revenue through Hundi, Arjita Sevas, auction of hair, room rents and other sources. Room rent, hair and others operate on a cost to cost basis and the main revenue is thorough Hundi," he said.
The temple earns Rs 1,000 crore to Rs 1,200 crore from 'Hundi' collections or offerings by devotees every year.
"We are passing through difficult times not just we but the entire country and the whole world through the crisis due to the Coronavirus pandemic. In these times we were forced to close darshan for devotees but the temple maintenance, pooja programmes are continuing in accordance with the temple procedure and systems. We have to maintain temples, conduct poojas, organise festivals as per the programme. Whether there is work or no work, you have to pay salaries to the employees. We have already managed for two months."
TTD spends Rs 125 crore every month towards payment of salaries, maintenance of temples and security.
"We paid salaries for March and April. We have some reserves kept ready for paying salaries for May. For June, we will have to raise some other sources. I am confident we will work out some formula and mobilise," he said.
"I don't know. As of now I can't say. I hope the Lord will not allow the situation to come to that stage," the TTD chairman said when asked if he would look for support from the state government.
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Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanam (TTD) Chairman Y. V. Subba Reddy told this agency that despite the crisis, it has the reserves to pay salaries for the month of May. He is also confident of mobilising resources to pay salaries and take care of other expenses for maintenance of the temple for the next month, if required.
The temple was closed for devotees on March 19, much before the announcement of lockdown. The TTD is losing almost Rs 200 crore revenue every month due to the closure.
"We get the revenue through Hundi, Arjita Sevas, auction of hair, room rents and other sources. Room rent, hair and others operate on a cost to cost basis and the main revenue is thorough Hundi," he said.
The temple earns Rs 1,000 crore to Rs 1,200 crore from 'Hundi' collections or offerings by devotees every year.
"We are passing through difficult times not just we but the entire country and the whole world through the crisis due to the Coronavirus pandemic. In these times we were forced to close darshan for devotees but the temple maintenance, pooja programmes are continuing in accordance with the temple procedure and systems. We have to maintain temples, conduct poojas, organise festivals as per the programme. Whether there is work or no work, you have to pay salaries to the employees. We have already managed for two months."
TTD spends Rs 125 crore every month towards payment of salaries, maintenance of temples and security.
"We paid salaries for March and April. We have some reserves kept ready for paying salaries for May. For June, we will have to raise some other sources. I am confident we will work out some formula and mobilise," he said.
"I don't know. As of now I can't say. I hope the Lord will not allow the situation to come to that stage," the TTD chairman said when asked if he would look for support from the state government.
Will TTD sell gold and deposits or approach state for staff salaries?
TTD Chairman reveals that reserves are in place to pay staff salaries for May. But, for June, the trust is on Lord Balaji. More inside.
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