In a bid to help the cash starved religious institutions of the State, Himachal Pradesh Government has decided to provide grant-in-aid for their maintenance and holding prayers. “The decision has been taken to promote and preserve the rich heritage of religious institutions in the state, popularly known as the Valley of the Gods,” a State Government spokesperson said. He said the allocations under the grant will be made through a revolving fund scheme.
“Earlier, many religious institutions had their own land, and they generated income from these. The earnings were used to maintain temples and for daily prayers. However, after implementation of various land reform laws many religious institutions lost their estates. This resulted in lack of income and as a consequence these temples suffered neglect,” the spokesperson said.
Under the scheme the Director of the language, Art and Culture department will invest the amount with the highest interest of nationalised or cooperative banks in fixed deposit accounts. The interest will be utilised for implementing the scheme. The institutions will get the grant-in-aid annually or as a one-time grant for regular maintenance and holding prayers. “This will help these institutions become self-sufficient and help them provide facilities like Sarai (inn), buildings, shops, parking and toilets on barren land owned them,” the spokesperson said.
Only those religious institutions would be eligible for availing grant whose lands are under various land reforms Acts. The temples included in the Himachal Pradesh Hindu Public Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowment Act, and the HP Ancient and Historical Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act are not eligible for grants as they are centrally protected. “Similarly, religious institutions with individual or personal ownership are not eligible for grants. The land acquired by the Government and for which compensation has been awarded to the religious institutions will not be counted for calculation under this scheme,” the spokesman said.
For availing the benefit, the head of eligible religious institution have to submit desired documents along-with proposal to the District language Officer concerned.