Seeking to end speculation over maths, Minister for Muzrai Prakash B. Hukkeri on Wednesday said the government would neither take over nor supersede religious maths in the State.
“I want to make a categorical statement that we (government) will not take over maths or appoint our officers for taking control of such religious institutions,” the Minister told the Legislative Council while replying to BJP member Monappa Bhandari.
BJP members, led by Leader of the Opposition D.V. Sadananda Gowda, said there was speculation that maths would be taken over. The Minister said there was no provision under the Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Act-1997 to bring the maths under the government’s jurisdiction.
Mr. Hukkeri said in 2012-13, revenue of Rs. 236.59 crore was received from 295 temples under A and B categories. Steps were being taken to ensure that payment of salaries to the temple staff did not exceed 35 per cent of the total temple revenue, he said.
Pointing out that 34,453 temples come under the jurisdiction of the Muzrai Department, he said most of them did not have their own revenue. The government was using revenue earned from A and B category temples for the development of C category temples, he said.
