COVID Effect: Udupi Mutt applies for Rs 1 cr loan from banks for maintenance

Udupi: The Krishna Mutt officials have applied for a bank loan of Rs. 1 crore for the maintenance of the Mutt due to lack of income in the past 5 months due to COVID-19 pandemic.

As per sources, around 300 people are working in the Srikrishna Mutt and at present 150 are working at mutt while 150 are at home and wages have been paid to them.

The Mutt officials have to maintain the cost of the daily meal is 300 people, 100 coconuts, two cans of ghee, one can of pure sesame oil, electricity bill (Rs 1 to 1.5 lakh per month), goshalas, etc.

The total expenditure of the Mutt per day would be around Rs.1 to 1.25 lakhs and per month it would be around Rs. 30-40 lakhs per month.

Following the COVID-19 lockdown, the devotees are not allowed to enter the Mutt since March 22 and the donations have been stopped for five months.  The Mutt has incurred cost of Rs. 1 Cr – 1.5 Cr in the past five months.

Adamaru Mutt Swamiji Eshwarapriya Theertha Shreepada said that there is a misconception that Swamiji will receive a lot of donations. At present, the officials have sought a loan of Rs.1 crore from two banks for the maintenance of Srikrishna Mutt. 15 lakhs has already been sanctioned.