Rs 21.6 cr annual grant for 3,600 temples

 
Addressing a press conference in Bangalore on Wednesday, Home and Muzrai Minister V S Acharya said presently only around 365 temples were receiving annual grants. The extension to the scheme will cost the exchequer Rs 21.6 crore per annum, he added.

The government has proposed to bring amendments to the Karnataka Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowment Act-1997 as suggested by the Supreme Court. The amendment bill will be tabled in the legislature either in the forthcoming session or the next session in January, he said.

In September 2006, Karnataka High Court had struck down the Act stating that its provisions amounted to dividing the Hindu religion. However, when an appeal was filed before the Supreme Court, the apex court upheld the Act but suggested some changes, Achraya said. A committed headed by Rajya Sabha MP Rama Jois is drafting the changes required, he added.

Fire Force

Acharya said the finance department has accorded approval to fill 1,854 vacancies in the fire force department.