Taking note of rising thefts in temples, Himachal Pradesh will now deposit with the RBI the donations made by devotees in form of gold and silver.
The details of gold/silver deposits of the 28 notified temples in the state have reached the state government, Manisha Nanda, Principal Secretary, Language and Culture department, which looks after temple affairs, said.
Taking cue from Vaishno Devi shrine in Jammu and Kashmir and a few other temples in southern India, it has been decided to deposit the yellow metal donated by devotees with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The proposal has already been approved by the state cabinet.
Among notified temples over 200 years-old Chintpurni in Una district has maximum amount of gold and silver deposit.
Other shrines like Naina devi, Jawalaji and Chamunda devi also have huge quantity of precious metals.
Mr. Nanda said amendment is being brought in the Himachal Pradesh Hindu Public Religion and Charitable Endowment Act, 1984 to make provision for the same.
The amendment to the act is likely to be brought in the winter session of the state assembly, starting at Dharamsala from December 14.
