The BJP has been accusing the Congress government of being “anti-Hindu” over the Bill.
Bengaluru: The Congress government’s Bill to take a portion of revenue from rich Hindu temples for a common pool of funds was defeated by the Opposition BJP and JD(S) in the Legislative Council on Friday.
The Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments (Amendment) Bill was passed in the Assembly on Wednesday.
The BJP has been accusing the Congress government of being “anti-Hindu” over the Bill.
The Bill was defeated in a voice vote. There were 18 Opposition members who said ‘nay’ against only seven ruling Congress MLCs.
According to the Bill, 10 per cent of the gross income of temples whose gross annual income exceeds Rs 1 crore will be put in the common pool. Also, 5 per cent of the gross income in respect of institutions whose gross annual income exceeds Rs 10 lakh, but is less than Rs 1 crore, will be used for the pool.
At present, 10 per cent net income of temples with a gross annual income of more than Rs 10 lakh and 5 per cent from temples earning Rs 5-10 lakh are used for the pool.
The common pool, administered by the Rajya Dharmika Parishat, will be used for a number of purposes.
The Bill also sought the creation of state-level and district-level committees to “scrutinize, review and submit” proposals on infrastructure development for pilgrims.