Thursday, December 10, 2009

Puja allowance for temples hiked after decades


BANGALORE: After nearly 40 years, the government has hiked the tasdik - an annual allowance given to temples in the state to conduct pujas.
"We have decided to grant Rs 6,000 each annually to 3,600 temples to enable priests meet daily puja expenses," religious endowment minister V S Acharya said on Wednesday.

According to officials, the tasdik had remained constant since 1970, when a scheme was formulated to meet the maintenance expenditure of muzrai temples, particularly in rural areas.

Earlier, a delegation had met chief minister B S Yeddyurappa claiming that the grant, ranging between Rs 5 and 10 per day, was inadequate to maintain thousands of muzrai institutions in rural areas.

Considering this, Yeddyurappa had directed officials to issue a government order. "Initially, we wanted to provide a tasdik of Rs 12,000. But the finance department turned it down. If the financial position improves, we will double the grant next year," Acharya added. (TOI)

1 comment:

Unknown said...

Acharya ji,

Rs. 6000/- per annum is extremely small amount!

Also, please implement your promise/opinion of temples being independent of govt. Let the temples be out of the clutches of govt. If in any case, a hostile govt. comes to power, they'll sell off the lands and properties of the numerous temples.

I'm not aware but, who holds the titles for these temples ? - Govt. ? If so, please take immediate action for an independent authority comprising of religious gurus to hold authority and at the same time is also answerable and transparent to public - transparent and answerable being very important aspects.