Ramalinga Reddy said that this provision is not new but has been in existence since 2003
Bengaluru:
Karnataka Minister Ramalinga Reddy on Thursday defended the state government’s move to collect funds from temples with a gross income of Rs 10 lakh.
The reaction from the Transport and Hindu Religious Endowments minister comes after the BJP attacked the government for introducing the Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments (Amendment) Bill.
BJP alleged that the Congress government wants to fill its ’empty coffers’ with temple money.
Regarding the bill passed by the Karnataka Assembly on Wednesday, the state government said it was necessary to increase the amount of the common pool fund, include a person skilled in Vishwa Hindu temple architecture and sculpture in the management committee of notified institutions. Form district and state level committees to improve temples and infrastructure for the safety of pilgrims.
Mr Reddy told reporters that this provision was not new but was in existence since 2003.
There are 3,000 C-grade temples in Karnataka, with an income of less than Rs 5 lakh, from which the ‘Dharmika Parishad’ does not receive any money.
The Religious Council is a committee to improve the temple management for the benefit of the pilgrims.
There are B-grade temples with income between Rs 5 lakh and Rs 25 lakh, with five per cent of the gross income going to the Dharmika Parishad since 2003.
Dharmika Parishad has been receiving 10 per cent of revenue since 2003 from temples whose gross income was more than Rs 25 lakh.
“Now what we have done is that if the income is up to Rs 10 lakh then we have exempted it from paying to the Dharmika Parishad. We have made a provision to collect five per cent from those temples whose gross income is less than Rs 10 lakh. is less than Rs 1 crore. Ten percent of the income will be collected from temples whose income is more than Rs 1 crore. All this amount will reach the Dharmika Parishad,” Reddy said.
The minister said that there are 40,000 to 50,000 priests in the state whom the state government wants to help.
“If the money reaches Dharmika Parishad, we can provide them insurance cover. We want their families to get at least Rs 5 lakh to pay the premium if anything happens to them,” he said. We need Rs 7 crore to Rs 8 crore.”
The minister said the government wants to provide scholarships to the children of temple priests, which would require Rs 5 crore to Rs 6 crore annually.
This entire amount will benefit only the temple priests, many of whom are in poor condition.
In a post on ‘X’, BJP state president BY Vijayendra attacked the government over the move and said, “The corrupt, incompetent #loot government with anti-Hindu ideology under the guise of secularism has cast its evil eye.” Temple revenue. Through the Hindu Religious Endowments Amendment Act, it is trying to snatch away donations as well as offerings from Hindu temples and religious institutions to fill its empty coffers.” The Shivamogga MLA said the government plans to extort Rs 1 crore. 10 per cent of the revenue of temples above Rs 5 crore and five per cent of the revenue of temples below Rs 5 crore.
“This not only shows the pitiful condition of this government but also its blatant hatred towards Hindu religion,” he alleged.
The state BJP chief said temple funds should be used dedicatedly to renovate temples and facilitate beneficial functions for devotees and not be diverted for other purposes that are inconsistent with people’s religious beliefs. There will be injustice and betrayal.
Vijayendra asked the government why only Hindu temples are targeted for revenue, leaving out other religions, a question raised by millions of devotees.
“Instead of usurping devotees’ money, the government can set up “donation boxes” so that concerned citizens can help this penniless government increase its revenue as a gesture of goodwill,” he said.
Government sources said the objective behind the bill is to provide facilities and security to pilgrims under the jurisdiction of Group ‘A’ temples.
Formation of a district-level and state high-level committee to examine, review and submit proposals regarding construction and maintenance of buildings, roads and tunnels, power supply and maintenance, water supply and sanitation, construction of recreation centers and libraries. Will be formed. Provide necessary facilities to the pilgrims and provide security to the pilgrims within the jurisdiction of Group “A” temples, he said.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
