News Brief
Hasanamba Temple in Hassan (Pixahive)
The Karnataka state government earlier this week notified an order that prohibits the use of funds of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (Muzrai) department for causes other than that of temples.
In a notification dated 23 July, the state government ordered the prohibition of diversion of funds from the department of Muzrai to any non-HIndu causes or religious institutions.
As per the order, this step was taken as members of the state and district Dharmic Parishads objected to the diversion of funds annually to other religious institutions. Minister for Muzrai Kota Srinivas Poojary too had expressed the need for other religious institutions being taken care of or provided funds by either the concerned backward class or minority welfare department. Taking cognisance of these demands, the department has notified the order barring any such provision of funds from either the 'tastik' amount or the annual grants.
As reported by Swarajya last month, in response to outrage by various Hindu groups and leaders against the distribution of 'tastik' money from the HRCE to priests and staff of other religious institutions, Minister for Muzrai Kota Srinivas Poojary had directed that all such acts of financial support from the department be halted with immediate effect.
Poojary had then said that "until our government came to power, 'tastik' amount meant for temples was also being provided to other religious institutions. Upon receiving this information we have directed that all utilisation of funds for non-Hindu purposes be stopped immediately,".
This order notified on 26 July, bars the diversion of both the 'tastik' as well as the annual grant to 757 religious centres and 111 prayer centres and instructs that such grants be given to the concerned institutions through the department of Minority welfare, Haj and Waqf.
Support Swarajya's 50 Ground Reports Project & Sponsor A Story
Every general election Swarajya does a 50 ground reports project.
Aimed only at serious readers and those who appreciate the nuances of political undercurrents, the project provides a sense of India's electoral landscape. As you know, these reports are produced after considerable investment of travel, time and effort on the ground.
This time too we've kicked off the project in style and have covered over 30 constituencies already. If you're someone who appreciates such work and have enjoyed our coverage please consider sponsoring a ground report for just Rs 2999 to Rs 19,999 - it goes a long way in helping us produce more quality reportage.
You can also back this project by becoming a subscriber for as little as Rs 999 - so do click on this links and choose a plan that suits you and back us.
Click below to contribute.
Latest