Author: Satyajit Joshi
Publication: Hindustan Times
Date: December 16, 2007
URL: http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=db22f117-f29a-4891-ad7d-6182c2f1989e
Trustees of Shirdi's Saibaba temple, who hosted
President Pratibha Patil when she visited last month, have received a letter
from the state stating that the Trust "share the expenses" of the
VIP visit.
The state - which spent nearly Rs 93 lakh
to develop a helipad, repair and rebuild roads and book several rooms at the
religious town before Pratibhatai and her family visited on November 27 -
is responsible for the expenses incurred on/during visits by VIPs or state
guests like the President, according to administration officials.
In this case, Ahmednagar district Collector
Dr P Anbalgam, was in charge of the President's visit.
The Public Works Department sent a letter
to Shri Saibaba Sansthan, the trust that manages the Saibaba temple, in the
first week of December stating that they share the expenses of the President's
visit. Dr Anbalgam told HT that he too had received the Department's letter
stating expenses on resurfacing of the roads.
"We have called a trustees' meeting next
week when a decision will be taken," said Jayant Sasane, chairperson
of Shri Saibaba Sansthan. Sasane is also a Member of the Legislative Assembly
from Ahmednagar's Shrirampur constituency.
Dr Anbalgam said that road resurfaced by the
department is the Sansthan's private property and that the Trust had expressed
its willingness to share the expenses.
"I am in touch with the trustees and
there is no controversy," he said. "There seems to be some communication
gap. I will look into it."
Sasane said the Trust is willing to share
the burden of development but the issue at hand has confused officials as
the area that was developed is around the temple. "As a trust, we are
willing to develop Shirdi if some development is taking place, why should
we have any objection?" said Sasane.
The Shri Saibaba Sansthan is one of wealthiest
temple trusts in the country with an annual average income of over Rs 200
crore.