By IANS,
Puttaparthi (Andhra Pradesh): For the first time since its inception 39 years ago, the Sathya Sai Central Trust, which runs the massive spiritual empire of late Sathya Sai Baba, Wednesday released its annual financial report – but with a rider.
The report details only the expenditure the trust incurred on its activities and has left out its income. The report was released to mark the 86th birth anniversary of the spiritual guru.
The first report after the demise of Sai Baba in April this year is seen as an attempt to bring transparency, especially in view of the adverse reports in a section of media.
Following the demise of Sai Baba, huge amounts of cash, gold, silver and other valuables were found from his residential quarter at Prashanti Nilayam, his ashram in this town in Andhra Pradesh’s Anantapur district.
According to the report, the trust incurred an expenditure of Rs.96 crore on its activities.
S.S. Naganand, legal adviser to the trust, said it was difficult to quantify the income as the donations to the trust come in kind like equipment and the services for various institutions run by the trust.
Claiming that the trust is still receiving the donations, he said the trust had not cut back on any of its activities.
Sai Baba had formed the trust in 1972 to run the affairs of his spiritual empire. The trust runs educational institutions, hospitals, drinking water schemes and various other service activities in different parts of India and abroad.
Meanwhile, 86th birth anniversary of the Sai Baba was celebrated with a large number of devotees offering prayers at his “Samadhi” in Sai Kulwant Hall.
Tamil Nadu Governor K. Rosaiah attended the event. There was a concert by Anup Jalota and Mandolin Srinivas in the evening.
Sai Baba passed away on April 25 this year at the age of 85.