In K’taka Budget, Temples and Cows get priority.

Giving importance to Hindutva agenda, Temples and Cows get priority in Karanataka Budget.

The government will launch ‘Punyakoti Dattu Yojane’ to encourage public and private institutions to adopt cows in the goshalas by paying ₹11,000 annually. Photo by Spl arrangements.

B Upendran | HENB | Bengaluru | March 5, 2022:: The BJP’s Hindutva agenda has been given a priority in the Karnataka Budget presented by Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Friday, with focus on temples and cow protection.

Amidst the Hijab row and escalating Islamist propaganda in the state, the Hindutva demands are also gaining more strength between the majority Hindu people obviously.

Autonomy to Hindu Temples

Sticking to his word at the BJP State executive meet in December 2021, Mr. Bommai said, “Autonomy will be given to temples coming under the purview of the Endowment Department. Necessary legal action will be taken to delegate the discretion of developmental works to the temples.” While many Hindutva groups have been lobbying to free Hindu temples from Govt control and for the complete abolition of the Endowment Department, the Budget proposes autonomy for temple trusts within the department’s ambit.

Development of Anjanadri Hill in Koppal

The Budget earmarked ₹100 crore for the development of Anjanadri Hill in Koppal, believed to be the “birth place” of Anjaneya, as a tourist destination with ropeway facilities for the hill. Mr. Bommai has championed the project and positioned it in relation to Ram Mandir in Ayodhya, believed to be the birthplace of Lord Ram. He had also announced that the temple would be developed by the time Ram Mandir comes up in Ayodhya and said he would get Prime Minister Narendra Modi to inaugurate the temple works.

Cow Adoption scheme in private participation

In an attempt to address the stray cattle problem that could arise due to Karnataka Prevention of Slaughter and Preservation of Cattle Act, 2020, the Budget allocates ₹50 crore to increase the number of goshalas from the present 31 to 100. The government is also looking for private participation for conservation of cows. “The government will launch ‘Punyakoti Dattu Yojane’ to encourage public and private institutions to adopt cows in the goshalas by paying ₹11,000 annually,” the Budget said. It also announced financial assistance to form a Gomata Sahakara Sangha for marketing eco-friendly products from waste generated in goshalas.

Kaashi Yatre subsidy

CM Bommai also said that a subsidy of Rs 5,000 per person will be provided to 30,000 pilgrims undertaking ‘Kaashi Yatre’ (pilgrimage to Varanasi) from the southern state.

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__Agencies.