Karnataka's government has introduced a comprehensive CCTV monitoring plan after theft allegations at the Ayodhya Ram Temple and Badrinath Dham shook devotees' trust. Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara said each donation box will be watched from four distinct angles, dramatically reducing the risk of pilferage.

Background and Rationale

Recent reports of cash, jewellery and investment papers being stolen from donation boxes in Ayodhya and Uttarakhand have raised serious concerns about the security of religious contributions. In Karnataka, numerous temples receive substantial cash donations, yet oversight has often been lax, leading to occasional irregularities. The new policy aims to plug these gaps swiftly.

Scope of the Surveillance Initiative

The state's Muzrai Department oversees roughly 39,000 temples, of which about 200 are classified as Category‑A because they generate significant revenue from devotees' offerings. These high‑value temples will have four CCTV cameras installed on each donation box, feeding live footage to a centralized monitoring hub.

Accounting Standards and Fund Allocation

Parameshwara emphasized that every temple must now maintain “proper and transparent accounts” of the money received. Collectively, Category‑A temples hold close to ₹2,521 crore in fixed deposits, which must be spent solely on the development of the respective temples. Only 10% of the total pool may be allocated to Category‑C temples, while the remaining 90% stays earmarked for each individual shrine.

Future Outlook

The government also announced the preparation of detailed master plans for each temple, focusing on structural upgrades, improved pilgrim amenities, and enhanced financial governance. By integrating technology with strict accounting, Karnataka hopes to restore faith in religious institutions and set a precedent for other states.