CCTV, QR codes and tighter security: Karnataka overhauls temple hundi system

Karnataka has issued a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to strengthen the security of temple hundis, improve transparency in handling donations and prevent theft or misuse of cash, gold, silver and other valuables in temples under the Religious Endowments Department.

The move comes after the government noted instances of theft from temple donation boxes and alleged misuse of offerings during hundi counting in temples across the country. The circular directs Deputy Commissioners, Tahsildars, Executive Officers, trustees and other officials to implement uniform security and monitoring measures across the state.

CCTV SURVEILLANCE

The SOP makes CCTV web cameras mandatory at all temple hundis, ensuring every donation box is covered from all four directions. The footage will be stored on servers, monitored by district authorities and linked to a central monitoring system at the Religious Endowments Department headquarters.

Live CCTV feeds will also be integrated with the offices of Deputy Commissioners, Superintendents of Police, local police stations and police control rooms to enable continuous monitoring and quicker response during emergencies.

DIGITAL DONATIONS

To reduce cash handling and improve transparency, temples have been directed to promote digital donations through UPI, BHIM and QR codes. The digital payment system will be integrated with temple accounting software to ensure proper audit trails and financial management.

Authorities have also been instructed to regularly inspect QR codes to prevent tampering or replacement with unauthorised codes.

STRICT HUNDI COUNTING NORMS

The SOP mandates that Revenue officials must be present during every hundi counting exercise, which will be supervised by the concerned Tahsildar. Temples receiving large donations must conduct counting every week, while others will do so once every two weeks according to a pre-approved schedule.

From the opening of the hundi until the cash is deposited in a bank, the entire process must be video-recorded with date and time stamps. Gold, silver and other valuables collected during counting must be valued and deposited in the district or sub-treasury on the same day.

Only Home Guards, bank staff or government employees will be allowed to participate in hundi counting. Members of the public and private individuals have been barred from the process. Face recognition systems will also be introduced to verify the identity of personnel involved, while those entering the counting area will have to declare the cash they are carrying.

ACCOUNTABILITY AND MONITORING

The SOP fixes responsibility on temple authorities and taluk-level officials in the event of thefts from hundis or during the counting process.

To ensure compliance, Karnataka has constituted district-level review committees headed by Deputy Commissioners. The committees will meet every month to review security arrangements, CCTV systems, fire safety and emergency preparedness.

Revenue, police and Religious Endowments Department officials will conduct joint inspections of temples every 15 days, while senior district officials will inspect major Category A and Category B temples once every three months. Deputy Commissioners have also been directed to submit monthly compliance reports to the government detailing implementation, deficiencies and corrective measures.

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