Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has directed officials to appoint an IAS officer for the administration of the Indrakeeladri temple following a request from Endowments Commissioner K Ramachandra Mohan. The move aims to streamline governance and expedite developmental works at the Sri Durga Malleswara Varla Devasthanam (SDMSD), the second-largest temple in the state after Tirumala.
The decision follows past precedence, as IAS officers were previously appointed as Executive Officers (EOs) for the temple during Naidu’s 2016-2018 tenure. However, the previous YSRCP government did not see the necessity for such an appointment.
Meanwhile, five temple staffers faced disciplinary action after being caught collecting money from devotees for VIP darshans during a surprise inspection. Two employees were suspended, while three outsourcing staff were dismissed from service.