Mujrai rules to be amended to help poor temples: Minister

Madikeri, Karnataka, Apr 10 (UNI) The Karnataka Government is contemplating bringing in amendments to Mujrai rules to enable the distribution of excess funds available in rich revenue yielding temples to poor temples in the State, Mujrai and Horticulture Minister Nagaraja Shetty informed today.

Addressing a press conference before attending the horticulture show here, he said that though the Aradhana scheme provided for utilising funds to develop temples run by backward class people, abundant funds under the scheme were not completely used in the previous years.

The overall development of any place depended on the renovation and smooth running of religious places, Mr Shetty opined.

He said the Government would enhance the amount set apart for sprucing up temples per Assembly constituency to Rs five lakh from the present Rs two lakh.

State Horticultural Director Dr G K Vasanthkumar, who was here to view the horticulture show, announced that the Government would release Rs ten lakh to develop the famous Raja Seat garden here.

Regarding re-cultivation of orange which had lost its base in Kodagu due to diseases, he said the Horticultural Research Station at Chettalli, near here, was developing disease-free orange seedlings. Besides, the department was committed to encourage rain harvesting, anthurium and pineapple cultivation in Kodagu district.

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