CM refutes BJP charge of temple money used for welfare scheme

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh today refuted the BJP's allegations that the money of temples was being used for welfare schemes. He said that a budgetary provision had been made for the Sukh Ashray scheme.

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Even as the Congress and the BJP are engaged in a slugfest over the use of temple money for welfare schemes, the Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh refused to join the issue by stating that "former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur does not speak on facts". “His media manager issues a statement everyday without verifying facts, so I do not want to comment on Jai Ram Thakur,” he added.

The issue of the alleged use of temple funds for a welfare scheme came into focus after national BJP spokesperson Amit Malviya posted about it on 'X'. “The Congress government in Himachal has directed temples to release funds for a welfare scheme. The same Congress has done nothing but disdain Sanatan Dharma and oppose legal efforts to restore the control of Sanatanis over their places of worship….. and continues to exploit them,” said Malviya on 'X'. He also shared a notification along with his post.

The Chief Minister said that all Deputy Commissioners had been asked to extend immediate relief till money from the scheme was provided to children for purposes like the payment of admission fee within 24 hours of the grant of admission. “Jai Ram Thakur ji must also contribute to such good welfare schemes,” he added.

Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi said that during the Covid pandemic, the previous BJP government had used the temple money on many things, so the Leader of the Opposition feels that every government does the same.

“A letter sent by the Secretary of a department to all District Magistrates is going viral. In such a situation, how can the Chief Minister say that the Opposition is making false allegations,” said Sundernagar MLA Rakesh Jamwal. "Is the Chief Minister not aware of this letter or the orders were issued by someone else," he asked.