Following reports of alleged theft and misuse of offerings at a prominent temple in the country, the Himachal Pradesh government has introduced a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to improve the security and management of cash, donations and valuables at all state-managed temples.
The Department of Language, Art and Culture has asked temple authorities to put in place stricter systems to safeguard devotees' offerings and ensure greater transparency and accountability in their handling.
As per the SOP, every donation box (dan patra/hundi) must be tamper-proof, firmly installed and assigned a unique identification number. Each box must have a dual-lock or multi-key mechanism, and a proper record must be maintained whenever it is opened.
The guidelines state that donation boxes can be opened only on pre-approved dates and in the presence of an authorised committee. The committee should include temple officials, district administration representatives, accountants, members of the temple management and independent witnesses. The counting of donations must take place under CCTV surveillance and be recorded on video.
To strengthen security, all temples have been directed to install high-resolution CCTV cameras with night vision and audio recording. The cameras should cover entry and exit points, the area around the sanctum, donation boxes, counting rooms and strong rooms. The footage must be stored for at least 180 days.
The government has also issued fresh financial guidelines. All cash donations must be deposited in the designated temple bank account within one working day. Keeping large amounts of cash on temple premises will not be allowed unless prior written approval has been obtained. Temple authorities have also been encouraged to promote digital donations through UPI, QR codes and online banking.
The SOP also requires quarterly verification of temple ornaments and other valuables, along with annual audits by government-appointed agencies. Staff members handling cash or valuables will undergo police verification. Their duties will be rotated periodically, and access to sensitive areas will be strictly regulated.
To monitor the implementation of the SOP, the Director of Language, Art and Culture has been appointed the State Nodal Officer. All state-managed temples have been asked to submit compliance reports within 30 days. The reports should include details of security arrangements, CCTV installation, audit status and the steps taken to implement the new guidelines.
District Magistrates have also been asked to encourage other temples under their jurisdiction to adopt similar security measures. The government has warned that Executive Officers and Temple Management Committees will be held responsible for any negligence and could face legal as well as departmental action for failing to follow the prescribed guidelines.
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