The seers who have been given protection are Veerabhadra Channamallikarjuna Swamiji, Nidumamidi Mutt, Bangalore; Sri Balagangadharnath Swamiji, Sri Adichunchanagiri Mutt, Mandya; Sri Deshikendra Swamiji, Suttur Mutt; S S Murugharajendra Swamiji, Jidaga, Belgaum; Sri Bharatitheertha Swamiji, Sringeri; Sri Taralabalu Shivamurthy Shivacharya Swamiji, Sirigere, Chitradurga; Sri Shivamurthy Murughasharana, Sri Murugharajendra Mutt, Chitradurga; Sri Raghaveshwara Bharati Swamiji, Sri Ramachandrapur Mutt, Hosanagara; Sri Shivakumar Swamiji, Sri Siddaganga Mutt, Tumkur; Sri Vishwesha Teertha Swamiji, Pejawar Mutt, Udupi and Sri Sugunendra Teertha Swamiji, Puttige Mutt, Udupi.
Home Minister V S Acharya revealed the facts in a written reply to an unstarred question by Basavarajan S K (JD-S) in the Legislative Assembly.
There was no answer to one of his questions - who poses life threat to seers who have renounced everything? Acharya said the security has been provided considering the nature of threat they are facing as well as local conditions.
The Government has been spending Rs 54,67,676 a year to provide police security to 11 seers. He said, some individuals too have taken police protection paying the annual cost of Rs 26,42,623.
Published 14 July 2009, 17:45 IST