Foreign currencies worth Rs 71.8L found in Anjanadri temple’s hundi

Koppal: The Anjanadri temple hundi has collected close to Rs 71.8 lakh offerings in foreign currency, during the latest counting. However, a four-day delay in officially releasing the figures has triggered public discussion over transparency.The counting took place on July 3, under the supervision of temple executive officer and tahsildar Vasanthakumari, and Rs 71,77,460 collection was recorded, which was accumulated between March 26 and July 3. Foreign currencies from Nepal, the United States, Thailand and Hong Kong were also found among the offerings.The previous hundi counting, held on March 27, yielded a collection of Rs 31,30,730.The counting was carried out under police security with continuous CCTV and video surveillance.

Revenue dept officials Prakash Nayak, Krishnaveni, Prabhuswamy, Nawaz, Yashwant, Sharanappa and Rajesh participated in the exercise along with KGB Sanapur Bank manager Naveen Kumar, police personnel, temple manager Venkatesh and members of women's self-help groups.Questions arose after the tahsildar's office released the official figures to the media four days after the counting was completed. Traditionally, revenue officials share the hundi collections with the media and senior officials immediately after the counting, through official WhatsApp groups.

When contacted, tahsildar Vasanthakumari said she was not present at the temple during the counting. “I will seek an explanation from officials on why the information was delayed,” she said.The delay has drawn public attention, in the wake of recent reports of alleged theft and misuse of the hundi’s offerings at Ram Mandir, Ayodhya. It has also prompted calls for greater transparency in the conduct and disclosure of hundi counting at the Anjanadri temple.