Temple Gold for Social Service

State-administered temples in Himachal Pradesh now have the option of melting and selling their gold and silver to generate income for people.

State-administered temples in Himachal Pradesh now have the option of melting and selling their gold and silver to generate income for people. According to the Himachal Pradesh Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Bill 2010, unanimously passed in the state Assembly earlier this month, temples can now dispose of part of the gold lying in their stock for social activities. According to a government official, 10 per cent of the gold can be utilised for temple-related activities, 20 per cent can be invested in the State Bank of India’s ‘Gold Bond Scheme’, while 70 per cent has to be kept reserved in the temple.

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Avantika Bhuyan