Mysuru: Activists of Karnataka Sena Pade recently staged a protest in front of the old Deputy Commissioner’s office, condemning the move of forming Sri Chamundeshwari Kshetra Development Authority and the plans to introduce Smart Card system for the darshan of the deity.

Expressing their resentment over the State Government constituting the Authority, the activists recalled the history associated with the temple. The kings of Mysore developed Chamundi Hill and during the reign of Mummadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, houses were constructed for all including the priests atop the hill, which has now transformed into a village. It is intended to develop 300 metres of periphery of the Hill, but it poses threat to the existence of Hill village. The Maharajas of Mysore have made enormous contributions to the development of Mysuru by donating thousands of acres of land. The Hill should be a place where one can seek peace and not a commercial hub, the activists demanded.

It is unacceptable that, the Government has plans to introduce Smart Card with tariffs of Rs. 10,000, Rs. 25,000 and Rs.1 lakh. It is nothing but daylight robbery by the State Government, which has emptied its exchequer by spending on Guarantee Schemes, they alleged.

There is no need of an Authority to govern Chamundi Hill.  This Authority may also meet the fate of Karnataka Maharshi Valmiki Scheduled Tribes (ST) Development Corporation Ltd., which is mired in scam. The Chamundi Hill is already under the Muzrai Department and Religious Endowment Department, and generating crores of rupees revenue which can be utilised for the development of the Hill, they said.