DON’T MISUSE GOD’S MONEY: Court directs to HP Administration

Dharamsala, November 6, 2012: Taking cognizance of a letter by Rajnish Khosla, that  about Rs 1 lakh having been spent by Baba Balak Nath Temple Trust Fund for an advertisement in a souvenir published by Himachal Tourism in connection with Hamir Utsav, an entertainment festival, (celebrated in 2009) of CM’s Home District , the Court has instructed the Himachal Pradesh Administration, not to misuse the  temples money. The court considered this letter as a writ petition.

HP High Courts  Division Bench comprising of the Chief Justice Kurian Joseph and Justice Dharam Chand Chaudhary on Monday  directed the state chief secretary and chief commissioner (Temples) to issue appropriate directions to all commissioners that the God’s money would not be spent for advertisements in souvenirs.

More than a dozen temple trusts are one of the richest religious institutions in Himachal. Facing a problem of plenty, the government was finding it difficult to guard the gold offerings made in these temples and had even decided to convert part of it into temple souvenirs for sale to devotees.

Working of several of these temple managements are disputed and are in the courts.