Just 48 hours after knocking at the Centre’s doors for drought aid, the two-week-old Jagadish Shettar government has decided to squander Rs 17 crore to please the rain gods.
The money that could have helped the government drill over 1,000 borewells or meet fodder needs of at least three districts, will now go into performing poojas at 34,000 temples.
According to the Muzrai Department’s July 19 circular, each temple will get Rs 5,000 to perform poojas on July 27 and August 2.
While temples situated on the banks of rivers and those which have kalyanis (temple tanks) have been asked to perform homas, parjanya (rain cloud) japas and poojas, the other temples can perform jalabhishekham.
While the government claimed this was a precedent during distress, the move come in for sharp criticism from the Opposition.
While JD(S) floor leader raised the issue in the Assembly, MLAs C S Puttegowda and Mahadev Prasad criticised the government of “promoting superstitions”.
“Instead of spending huge sums on poojas, the government should have utilised it for providing relief to people,” they said.
On his part, Muzrai Minister Kota Srinivas Poojary defended the move stating that there was nothing wrong in offering prayers for rains and prosperity when people are suffering.
“I don’t think it is a crime. I believe in God and I have faith that prayers will bring results. There is no question of withdrawing the circular,” Poojary said.
Meanwhile, it seemed only few legislators understood the gravity of the crisis, for while a debate was on in the Assembly, several ruling and Opposition MLAs were found out in the lounge.
Comments
0 comment