CM Sukhu: State never used temple donations for govt schemes

Yog Raj Sharma

The North News

Shimla, October 16

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu,, said that the state government has never used temple donations for any government schemes. Speaking to the media, Sukhu clarified that temple donations are managed strictly by the temple trusts. “The state government has never used this money for its own schemes. It is spent only for temple purposes,” he said.

His statement followed an order by Himachal Pradesh High Court,  which barred the use of donations made to Hindu temples for any government programmes or unrelated works.

The high court on Tuesday  directed that the funds must be used only for the promotion of Hindu religion and dharmic activities. Every rupee of temple funds must be used for the temple’s religious purpose or dharmic charity. It cannot be treated like general revenue for the state, the high court said.