Karnataka Hindu religious institutions and charitable endowments bill 2024
Karnataka clears Tax Bill
'Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Bill 2024' was passed by the state assembly by the government led by chief minister Siddaramaiah. It requires the government to collect 10% of temple revenue exceeding Rs 1 crore and 5% of temple revenue between Rs 10 lakhs and Rs 1 crore. In order to support religious activities in Karnataka, the proposed amendment also suggests creating a Common Pool Fund under the Department of Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments.
The Muzrai Department oversees around 35,000 temples, of which 205 have annual earnings over Rs 25 lakh and are classified as Group A, 193 have annual incomes between Rs 5 lakh and Rs 25 lakh and are classified as Group B, and approximately 34,000 have annual incomes less than Rs 5 lakh and are classified as Group C. The amendment stipulates that temples that earn more than Rs 1 crore must donate 10% of their income to the Common Pool Fund, while temples that generate revenue between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 1 crore should contribute 5% of their earnings to the fund. According to the Muzrai minister, temples with annual earnings less than Rs 10 lakh would not be required to make any contributions.
According to Vijayendra Yediyurappa, the state head of the BJP, the administration enacted the measure in order to top off its empty coffers.
Vijayendra Yediyurappa wrote on X, "The Congress government, which is adopting consistently anti-Hindu policies in the state, has now taken a crooked look at the revenue of Hindu temples and passed the Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments bill to fill its empty coffers." He further added, "Under this, the government will collect 10% of the income from temples earning over Rs 1 crore, this is nothing but poverty. The offering dedicated by the devotees for the knowledge of God and the development of the temple should be allocated for the renovation of the temple and for the convenience of the devotees. If it is allocated for another purpose, it is on the divine beliefs of the people. There will be violence and fraud."
Ramalinga Reddy, a minister in the Karnataka administration and leader of the Congress, questioned the BJP's ongoing involvement in religious politics. He said, "Indrajitha Yediyurappa, It is evident that the BJP consistently uses the Congress' alleged anti-Hindu sentiment for political advantage. But since Congress administrations have always protected Hindu interests and temples throughout the years, we at the Congress believe that we are the real champions of Hinduism. Did your BJP government neglect its responsibilities between 2008 and 2013, as well as from 2019 to 2023? It seems they turned a blind eye to the revenues of Hindu religious institutions and charitable endowments, despite the existence of acts or bills in place since 2001."
