Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai proposes to end government control over temples
Bangalore:
In his first budget for 2022-23 presented on Friday, Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai proposed to do away with government control over temples in the state by giving autonomy to those under the endowment department.
He had first hinted at bringing in a law aimed at ‘liberating’ Hindu temples from state control while addressing the BJP’s state executive meeting in December last year.
“There has been a long-standing demand to end government control over temples. Considering these demands of the devotees, the temples under the purview of the Endowment Department will be given autonomy. Necessary legal action will be taken to delegate discretion. About the development works of temples,” Mr Bommai said in his budget speech.
A total of 34,563 temples in the state come under the Muzrai (endowment) department, and are classified as Grade A, B and C on the basis of their revenue generation.
A total of 207 temples with annual revenue above Rs 25 lakh fall under Category A, 139 temples between Rs 5 lakh and Rs 25 lakh fall under Category B, and 34,217 temples under Category C with annual revenue less than Rs 5 lakh. come with revenue.
In his budget speech, Mr Bommai said the taastik (compensation for land vested with the government) amount would be increased from Rs 48,000 to Rs 60,000 to help the archakaru, agamikaru (priests) and staff of endowment temples.
He also said that an ‘Integrated Temple Management System’ software would be implemented to make various services of the temple available online.
The Chief Minister said that a subsidy of Rs 5,000 per person would be provided by the government to 30,000 pilgrims undertaking ‘Kashi Yatra’ from Karnataka.
In order to facilitate pilgrimage sites at low cost, the ‘Holy Yatra’ program will be implemented through Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC).
For the benefit of pilgrims from Karnataka, it is proposed to construct a Yatri Niwas complex at Srisaila, a famous pilgrimage center located in Andhra Pradesh. The construction will be done in two phases at a cost of Rs 85 crore, he said, adding that Rs 45 crore will be allocated for works related to the first phase.
In his budget speech, Mr Bommai also said that the state government would provide assistance to monasteries and organizations contributing in the field of education, health and social service.
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