Latest news with #CommonGoodFund
Time of India
21-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
High on beats & Belief: Bonalu culminates in colourful finale at Lal Darwaza; CM Revanth Reddy hails Telangana's cultural spirit
HYDERABAD: The final phase of Bonalu celebrations at the historic Lal Darwaza Mahankali temple in Old City concluded on Sunday, drawing thousands of devotees. Carrying decorated pots filled with cooked rice, jaggery, curd, and turmeric water, devotees thronged the temple lanes to offer prayers, accompanied by drum beats, chants, and colourful processions, marking the end of the Ashadam Bonalu. Chief minister Revanth Reddy hailed the smooth conduct of the month-long festivities, calling Bonalu a true reflection of Telangana's spiritual and cultural essence. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad Deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka offered silk garments to the goddess on behalf of the state and highlighted the allocation of Rs 1,290 crore from the Common Good Fund for temple development, including Rs 20 crore for Bonalu in Greater Hyderabad. IT and industries minister D Sridhar Babu noted that 2,783 temples received direct financial support for Bonalu-related initiatives. The celebrations will conclude on Monday with 'Rangam', the traditional oracle ritual at Akkanna Madanna temple, followed by a grand procession featuring the 'ghatam' of Goddess Mahankali on a decorated elephant.
Hans India
21-07-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Govt allocated Rs 1,290 crore for temple devpt across state: Dy CM
Hyderabad: Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka reiterated that the state government has allocated Rs 1,290 crore package for the temple development across the state. The Deputy CM said they prayed for the development of the state and prosperity, and happiness for people. On the occasion of Bonalu celebrations, Bhatti Vikramarka, who also offered Pattu Vastralu, said, 'Bonalu festival is a vibrant tradition honouring goddess Mahankali. It is not just a festival; it is the soul of Telangana's culture. We are committed to preserving these traditions that have been practiced for generations'. Bonalu commenced with rituals at Golconda Fort and continued across Hyderabad, culminating at the Lal Darwaza temple. It is heartening to witness these festivals being celebrated in a peaceful and spiritual atmosphere throughout the city, said the Deputy CM. He added, 'The state government has allocated a dedicated Rs 20 crore fund for Bonalu festivities in Hyderabad from the Rs 1,290 crore allocation from the Common Good Fund. Also, the fund will support renovations and upgrades at temples across the state. It will improve security, sanitation, and crowd management. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has pledged to develop the premises around the Lal Darwaza Mahankali temple,' added Vikramarka. Meanwhile, as part of Bonalu festivities, IT and Industries Minister D Sridhar Babu, on behalf of the State government, offered 'Pattu Vastralu' to the Mahankali at the historic Sri Akkanna Madanna Mahankali Temple in Haribowli and performed special prayers. The Minister extended warm greetings to the people on the occasion of Bonalu. The Minister stated that offering silk robes at Sri Akkanna Madanna Temple was a rare privilege and a moment of spiritual fulfillment. The temple stands as a symbol of Hyderabad's historical depth, spiritual significance, and cultural vibrancy.
Hans India
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Endowments Dept to get 9% of TTD's Common Good Fund
Tirupati: The Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) and the Endowments Department have agreed to increase the contribution from the Common Good Fund (CGF) to the Endowments Department from the existing five per cent to nine per cent towards strengthening temple infrastructure and increasing priest welfare across the State. This decision was taken during a high-level meeting held at Annamayya Bhavan in Tirumala on Saturday. The meeting was convened following the directions of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who wanted certain issues that had come to the fore in recent times to be resolved. Senior officials discussed at length the facilities that need to be improved across temples in the state, including Tirumala, and addressed pending matters between the Endowments department and the TTD. The meeting was attended by Endowments Minister Anam Ramnarayan Reddy, TTD Chairman BR Naidu, TTD Executive Officer J Syamala Rao, Endowments Secretary V Vinay Chand, TTD Additional EO Ch Venkaiah Chowdary, JEO V Veerabrahmam, and other officials from TTD and the Endowments Department. Speaking to the media after the meeting, Minister Anam stated that under the Endowments Act, there were provisions requiring the TTD to contribute up to nine per cent of its funds to the Common Good Fund. Until now, this contribution has been only five per cent. The board has decided to increase it in line with the provision. Anam explained that the state government, in keeping with its manifesto promise, wanted to provide financial support to unemployed priests across the State. As many as 590 unemployed Vedic scholars had been identified, and the government had decided to provide them with a monthly honorarium of Rs 3,000, he said. On temple renovation, he said that Rs 147 crore had previously been sanctioned from the Srivani Trust funds for the reconstruction of temples across the state. However, that amount has remained unused. An additional Rs 11 crore was due to be released from the same trust. The board and officials discussed these pending amounts and agreed to take appropriate decisions soon.
New Indian Express
14-06-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
CGF committee approves 297 works worth Rs 72.47 crore
HYDERABAD: The Common Good Fund (CGF) committee, which met here on Friday, approved 297 works to be taken up with an estimated cost of Rs 72.47 crore. Endowments Minister Konda Surekha, who attended the meeting, directed the executive officers (EOs) of various temples to follow the guidelines issues by the state government while executing the works. 'There should not be any negligence in grounding the works,' he said while directing the officials to send all necessary proposals for the works at one go. The minister also said that estimates received from local leaders or people's representatives should not be forwarded as it is. The EOs should conduct comprehensive field visits and prepare realistic project assessments after thoroughly inspecting the proposals received from the people's representatives, she added. Instructing the officials to utilise CGF funds judiciously, she opined that the efforts of executive officers and senior officials were crucial in developing the temples. The officials briefed the minister about the funds needed for small temples. She held a detailed discussion with them regarding budget approvals and the requests received for CGF allocations.
Hans India
14-06-2025
- Hans India
Temple tourism in state will get a shot in the arm: Surekha
Hyderabad: The Telangana government has decided to place a significant focus on temple tourism across the state. Endowments Minister Konda Surekha on Friday instructed departmental officials to prioritise this area and to develop concrete proposals. The Minister affirmed the state government's commitment to the initiative, announcing that this year, the Ashadha Masam Bonalu Jatara at the Bhadrakali Temple in Warangal would be organised in a truly grand manner. She expressed her desire to bring every festival and cultural tradition of the state closer to the people, stating that her government would make every effort to guide the populace towards a devotional path. Minister Surekha directed officials to ensure transparent utilisation of Common Good Fund (CGF) monies for the comprehensive development of temples. The Endowment Department CGF Committee meeting took place at the Secretariat on Friday, where Minister Surekha conducted a review of the funds earmarked for the development of smaller temples across the state. The Minister opined that the dedication of Executive Officers (EOs) and senior departmental officials was crucial for temple development. As part of the CGF discussions, officials presented information to the Minister regarding the funds allocated for the development of minor temples. The Minister directed officials to proceed with a plan to enhance facilities for devotees in temples across the state and to increase the income streams of these religious institutions. She called for more extensive work on developing temple tourism circuits. The government, she revealed, plans to combine three major temples within a district into a single circuit, with this process to be implemented in three phases. The aim is to transport devotees and tourists to famous temples, while also allowing them to visit other tourist spots along the designated routes.
