Belagavi: In a major initiative to strengthen security, transparency and donation management, the district administration has decided to implement a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) in all 3,806 notified temples under the endowment department in Belagavi district.The decision was taken at a review meeting chaired by deputy commissioner Mohammad Roshan on Thursday. The district has five category A temples, six category B temples and 3,795 category C temples.Under the SOP, all temples must install donation boxes at secure and visible locations. Web-enabled CCTV cameras will provide 360-degree surveillance around donation boxes, with live footage stored on a central server monitored by the endowment department, district administration and police.Permanent CCTV systems will also be installed at donation counting centres and other sensitive areas. Police commissioner Bhushan Borse directed officials to prioritise the protection of valuable idols and temple jewellery.To improve transparency and reduce cash transactions, temples will introduce authorised digital payment facilities, including UPI, BHIM and QR code-based donation systems. Regular inspections will be carried out to prevent misuse through fake QR codes, while an audio confirmation system will alert devotees once transactions are successful.The SOP prescribes strict procedures for handling donations. Gold and silver ornaments offered by devotees will be valued the same day and deposited in the district sub-treasury. Donation counting will be conducted weekly in temples receiving large volumes of offerings and once a fortnight in others under the supervision of tahsildars.Only authorised personnel, including revenue officials, bank employees, home guards and govt staff, will participate in the counting process. The exercise will be videographed and attendance verified through facial recognition technology.SP K Ramarajan said 16 incidents of temple vandalism were reported in the district over the past six months, highlighting the need for enhanced surveillance and security measures.
