‘Rs17 cr for prayers, can’t we use it to fight drought?’
This is one puja which is going to cost the state exchequer a tonne.
On July 27 and August 2, a special puja will be performed across 34,000 temples to invoke the rain gods, who have not been particularly kind to Karnataka this year. Newly inducted muzrai minister Kota Srinivasa Poojary is hoping that the massive puja, at a cost of Rs 17 crore,will make the skies open up and ensure enough rains to get the state out of drought conditions.
The ruling BJP chanced upon the new idea after a plan to conduct cloud seeding, ran into trouble with experts and some politicians opposing it.
The controversial circular issued by the Muzrai department on July 19, directs all deputy commissioners, CEOs and tahsildars to organize 'Jalabhisheka’ and 'Homa’, utilizing funds not exceeding Rs 5,000 from the temple fund. In addition, special rituals have been ordered at popular shrines at Kollur, Kukke, Kateel and Nanjangud, as they are built near a river, 'Kalyani’ or 'Pushkarni’.
Opposition members were not amused and wanted to know why such wasteful expenditure should be incurred when the state is reeling under a severe drought. Senior Congress leader Siddaramaiah said: “The government could have used the funds to supply fodder for cattle and drinking water in drought hit areas.” He warned that the Congress will launch a massive agitation if the order is not withdrawn immediately.
JD(S) floor leader H.D. Revanna chose to go soft on the special puja but his party colleagues, C.S. Putte Gowda and Shivalinge Gowda, did not share his view. They contended that by doing so, the government is making people more superstitious.
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