Punjab: Minister reviews temple development works

Punjab: Public Works and Urban Development Minister Vikramaditya Singh today chaired a joint meeting of Shri Tara Devi Mandir Nyas and Sankat Mochan Mandir Nyas at Tara Devi Mandir premises. He emphasised that providing better facilities to devotees is the top priority and assured that the state government is extending full support in the development of the temple. The minister emphasised that development works should be carried out in a balanced and sustainable manner as both the temples attract lakhs of devotees every year. “The government is ensuring timely budget allocation and construction work is going on at a fast pace in both the temples,” he said after paying obeisance at Tara Devi Mandir.

In the meeting, it was revealed that Sankat Mochan Mandir has 18 bighas of land and earns around Rs 1 crore annually. Discussions were held regarding the appointment of priests, including a proposal to introduce an interview-based selection process. The priests will be appointed on a temporary basis until a formal notification is issued. The minister also asked the PWD officials to prepare a report on expansion of parking facilities to tackle the problem of congestion. He also announced the construction of a wrestling arena in the temple complex at a cost of Rs 50 lakh, out of which Rs 10 lakh would be given from the MLA local area development fund.