LI Network
Published on: February 22, 2024 at 20:42 IST
The Karnataka government has made a significant move by passing the Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowment bill in the state Assembly. Under this legislation, temples with an annual revenue exceeding Rs 1 crore will be required to contribute 10 percent of their income to the government.
The bill aims to regulate the financial management of Hindu religious institutions and charitable endowments in the state. Karnataka’s Transport Minister and Congress leader, Ramalinga Reddy, addressed concerns raised by the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), stating that the collected funds will be utilized for ‘dharmic parishad’ purposes.
Minister Reddy clarified that the term ‘dharmik parishad’ encompasses various initiatives, including the welfare of economically disadvantaged priests, the development of C-grade temples, and the provision of quality education to the children of priests.
The government’s assertion that the collected funds will be directed towards the betterment of religious institutions and the welfare of associated communities seeks to assuage concerns regarding the utilization of temple revenues.
This move by the Karnataka government reflects efforts to ensure transparency and accountability in the management of Hindu religious institutions while simultaneously addressing the socio-economic needs of those involved in temple affairs.
As the bill progresses, it is anticipated to facilitate the equitable distribution of resources and support the sustainable development of religious infrastructure and communities across Karnataka.