2 more weeks to furnish info on temples’ income

Vijay Arora

Legal Correspondent

Shimla, August 14

The HP High Court on Tuesday granted two weeks more time to the state government for furnishing the information about the total income generated from each one of such temples in the last 10 years which are covered under the provisions of Himachal Pradesh Hindu Public Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Act.

While granting time, a division bench comprising acting Chief Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice Ajay Mohan Goel has listed the matter for further hearing on August 28.

In its earlier order, the court had directed all Deputy Commissioners to file an affidavit informing the court about the number and name of the temples under their jurisdiction and total income generated from each one of such temples in the past 10 years.

It further directed the Deputy Commissioners to file personal affidavit in a tabulated form informing the court whether any amount stands diverted for use of any purpose/activity other than the one development of temple. Apart from this, the court also asked about the details of the staff employed with respect to each one of the institutions, the amount spent towards their salary and the amount spent on the maintenance and upkeep of the sanctum sanctorum of each one of the temples.

The court passed these orders on a petition filed by Kashmir Chand Shadyal of Shimla. The petitioner has alleged in the petition that while visiting various temples in the state, he noticed that on account of faith, most temples were thronged by a flood of devotees who liberally donated to the temples. However, despite being flush with funds, there did not exist commensurate facilities for the pilgrims and worshippers. He has further alleged that the funds were neither being utilized for the propagation of Hindu religion nor for establishment or maintenance of educational institutions or for training of students, pujaris.

During the course of hearing it was informed to the court that income generated from 12 temples alone in the last 10 years has been more than Rs 361 crore.