Karnataka Governor returns Temple fund collection bill for Clarification

Bengaluru: The Governor of Karnataka, Thaawarchand Gehlot, has sent back the Karnataka Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments (Amendment) Bill 2024 to the State Government. The governor has requested further clarifications before granting approval. The bill aimed to amend regulations for religious institutions and proposed to impose a 5% fee on temples with annual incomes ranging from Rs 10 lakhs to less than Rs one crore.

The legislative bodies of Karnataka passed the Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments (Amendment) Bill, 2024 on February 29.

Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot has sought more clarification as to whether the amendment can be made during the pendency of the case, specifically when the entire Act has already been struck down by the High Court and case in appeal is at the stage of final hearing in the Supreme Court.

At present, 10 per cent net income of temples with a gross annual income of more than Rs 10 lakh and 5 per cent of temples earning Rs 5-10 lakh are used for the pool. According to Raj Bhavan, amendments that were made to the law in 2011 and 2012 were struck down by the Dharwad bench of the High Court. The High Court’s decision has been challenged in the Supreme Court. Raj Bhavan said the apex court has stayed the High Court order and the case is in its final stage.

“Since the case is still pending in Supreme Court, it is necessary to get more clarification whether the amendment can be made during the pendency of the case, specifically when the entire Act has already been struck down by the High Court and case “Since the case is still pending in Supreme Court, it is necessary to get more clarification whether the amendment can be made during the pendency of the case, specifically when the entire Act has already been struck down by the High Court and case in appeal is at the stage of final hearing (sic),” Raj Bhavan said.

“Further, has the state government conceptualized any legislation to encompass other religious bodies in similar fashion as this Bill?” the Raj Bhavan has asked. The Bill was opposed by the BJP, which claimed that the Congress government was misappropriating funds meant for Hindu temples.

[With inputs from PTI]