Shortage Of Surveyors Hampers Karnataka Government's Efforts To Protect Temple Lands

A government of Karnataka initiative to survey temple lands and properties faces significant delays due to a shortage of surveyors within the Revenue Department.

This setback raises concerns about the potential compromise of prime properties associated with religious places, many of which have already fallen victim to encroachment.

With over 34,000 endowment temples in Karnataka, the categorisation includes 175 Class A temples with an annual revenue exceeding Rs 25 lakh, 158 Class B temples generating revenue between Rs 5 lakh and Rs 25 lakh, and the remaining Class C temples with an annual revenue under Rs 5 lakh.

A report by The New Indian Express reveal that temple properties, particularly those in prime areas, have been encroached upon by private parties and even government agencies. The lack of proper surveys and land records has resulted in the loss of lands worth crores of rupees to encroachers.

An official stated, "we could have earned a handsome income from those properties, but private individuals are squatting on them. We need documents to approach courts to contest ownership. The survey will give us better data."

The critical issue lies in the scarcity of surveyors within the Revenue Department, which currently has fewer than 4,700 surveyors, including permanent staff and licensed surveyors.

Meanwhile, there are numerous pending applications for surveys, and the backlog could take years to clear, with the list of pending applications continuously growing.

To address this challenge, a senior department official disclosed plans to employ 340 surveyors and engage another 2,000 licensed surveyors within the next three months. These personnel will be involved in temple surveys, although they can only commence work after a six to eight-month waiting period.

Endowments Minister Ramalinga Reddy acknowledged the shortage of surveyors and affirmed his directive to officials to prioritise the survey of temple properties. "There is a shortage of surveyors. We will protect properties belonging to the Endowments Department," he added.

It is worth noting that the previous Bharatiya Janata Party government initiated similar efforts, marking boundaries in some districts. However, the project was left incomplete, leading to ongoing challenges in safeguarding temple lands.

On 14 August, the commissioner of the Muzrai department issued a circular which directed all the district administrators to withhold the funding being provided to state-run temples.

Reddy later provided a clarification that the circular issued was because of a 'confusion', and that the government did not intend to stop any funding to the temples.