The Madras High Court recently noted that it was time to include the Church Properties under Section 22 A of the Registration Act 1908 which protects certain properties like temple and wakf.
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“The BJP MLAs just gave some suggestions and let the bill pass in the assembly. But their own party MLCs voted against the bill in the Council,” Transport & Muzrai Minister Ramalinga Reddy told ET on Sunday, while adding that the government would move the bill again.
The State Government plans to reintroduce a bill to amend the Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowment Act, 1997, in the assembly after it was defeated in the Legislative Council by the BJP. Transport & Muzrai Minister Ramalinga Reddy criticized the BJP for voting against the bill in the Council after offering suggestions in the assembly. Reddy clarified that the amendment aims to adjust the share of temple income for the development of poorer temples, not divert funds to other faiths.
The Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowment (Amendment) Bill, which was passed by the legislative assembly Wednesday night rejigging the existing matrix to collect more taxes from the earnings of state-owned temples, has stoked controversy.