The Kerala government on Monday said that no money donated by devotees at temples across the state go to the state exchequer.
Senior Congress leader V.D. Satheesan, who raised the issue on the assembly floor, said Minister for Devasoms V.S. Sivakumar clarified on the issue in the house.
"Hindutva forces in the state and, of late, Hindu Ezhava leader Vellapalli Natesan have been levelling allegations that while offerings made in churches and mosques are not going to the treasury, receipts from temples (Sabarimala, Guruvayoor and others) go to the state exchequer. Sivakumar clarified that not a single paisa goes into the government treasury," said Satheesan.
Sivakumar said the government instead spends a lot on development of temple infrastructure every year.
"After this government assumed office in 2011, we have so far spent Rs.231.38 crore on various temples. In case of Sabarimala temple, we have spent Rs.605 crore on its development."
"It's most unfortunate that canards are being spread that temple receipts are taken away by the government. This is done on purpose to create unrest," said Sivakumar.