Accused of fund misuse, Karnataka to make temple audit reports public

BENGALURU: To counter BJP and JD(S)'s allegations of misuse of funds belonging to Hindu temples, Karnataka government has decided to make public audit reports of A and B category temples that are under endowment (muzrai) department.

State government will ask management committees of all such temples to provide details of their revenue, maintenance expenditure, and funds. Audit reports of the smaller C category temples will not be publicised.

According to government, out of 34,563 temples in the state, lion's share of revenue is generated by 207 A and 139 B category entities.

MLC N Ravi Kumar from BJP welcomed government's decision, but said most of the asset diversion happens in C category temples.

Karnataka's endowment department estimates Rs 700 crore annual revenue generation by all the temples cumulatively.

Muzrai minister R Ramalinga Reddy said, "There were repeated allegations against government and muzrai department that funds and donations received by temples under state control were being diverted to other religious institutions such as masjids and churches."

Ever since state Dharmika Parishad Act was implemented in 2003, funds from one temple cannot be used for the development of another, he said.