Nalgonda, February 14: The way the widening of main entrance of Yadagirigutta Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple was done led to suspension of joint endowments commissioner N Srinivas today.
Endowments minister Jupalli Krishna Rao and Srimannarayana Ramanuja Chinna Jeeyar Swamiji attended the inauguration ceremony.
Later, Sri Chinna Jeeyar reportedly expressed his displeasure over the way the main entrance works were executed. The seer told the minister that he only suggested widening of the main entrance.
But the temple joint commissioner increased the height of the entrance and also altered the small hillock in the sanctum sanctorum. The floor level in the sanctum sanctorum was also raised.
After expressing his displeasure over the violation of his suggestions by the temple officials, he left. He clearly told the minister that if any Arishtam happened due to the modifications, which were not in accordance with Agama Shastra, the temple officials should be held responsible for it.
Later, the minister enquired about pilgrim amenities newly provided in the temple. He inspected the shopping complex, Pushkarini, cottages, Kalyanakatta, Potu and other places. The minister found that sanitation on the temple premises was poor.
He also inspected the construction of new cottages on the hill shrine. He found that the material used in the construction work was substandard.
After inspecting the works, he summoned the joint commissioner and questioned him about poor maintenance of the temple.
As Srinivas failed to give satisfactory reply, the minister directed the temple officials to bring the files pertaining to the development works.
To his surprise, the temple records showed that the officials spent Rs 3.5 crore on minor works. The joint commissioner failed to furnish details for the whopping amount spent on development works.
Irked over his indifferent attitude, the minister called up endowments principal secretary Ramanachari and endowments commissioner GSV Prasad and asked them to come to Yadagirigutta. When the two officials reached the temple, the minister held a meeting with them.
Later, he directed the senior officials to suspend Srinivas, sanitation in-charge Raghu and electrical engineer Lakshmana Rao. The minister who went to the temple at 8 am, stayed on the hill till 3.30 pm studying the poor state of affairs.
Earlier too, several commissioners who attempted to make changes in the sanctum sanctorum, invited the wrath of the God, local priests said.
They denounced the structural modifications made in violation of Agama Shastra.
When Express contacted the joint commissioner, he refused to speak on the matter.