Temples Bill issue raised in J-K Assembly

Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party and CPIM today raised the Temples Bill issue in the state assembly.
Balwant Singh Mankotia of JKNPP introduced private Bill No 68 of 2011 which pertains to constitution of a Bill for the maintenance and better management of 'Dharamarth Trust Properties and Funds' in the state on the pattern of 'Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board'.
The Bill was opposed by the Law Minister Mir Saif-ullah and the House rejected it with voice vote.
However, speaking on it, Mankotia claimed that 'Dharamarth Trust' was running over 150 temples and except for a few big temples under it, rest are in shambles without repair and renovation.

"There is need for one Board and Trust for all the temples of Jammu and Kashmir and government was creating several Trusts for each of the temple in the state," he said.
The Law Minister while replying over the issue, said that the matter regarding Dharmarath Trust is sub-judice and there was no financial memorandum attached with the bill.

Unsatisfied by the reply Mankotia staged a walkout.
On the similar lines, CPIM MLA M Y Tarigami too raised the issue of the Bill brought in the Assembly some years ago for upkeep of temples and shrines in the valley.
"There should be consensus over it and it should be brought for the decision of the house immediately--we need to know why this has not happen", he said.

The Bill, 'Jammu and Kashmir Hindu Shrines and Religious Places (Management and Regulation)', aimed at "proper" management of the Hindu shrines and religious places was introduced in the state Assembly on March 9, 2009.