Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: IE
Context: The Karnataka Legislative Assembly passed the Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments (Amendment) Bill, 2024, after it was previously defeated in the Legislative Council by the BJP-JD(S) alliance.
- The bill proposes the creation of a Common Pool Fund under the Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Department to support religious activities in the state.
- The amendment requires temples with incomes above Rs one crore to contribute 10%, those with incomes between Rs 10 lakh to one crore to contribute five per cent, and temples with incomes below Rs 10 lakh are exempt from contributions.
Constitutional Provisions for passing of bills:
- According to Article 197 of the constitution, if a bill is rejected by the Legislative Council for the first time, the Legislative Assembly has the option to pass the bill again, with or without the amendments suggested by the Legislative Council.
- Once the bill is passed for the second time by the Legislative Assembly, it is sent back to the Legislative Council.
- The bill is considered to have been passed by both houses if the Legislative Council either rejects the bill, takes no action on it for more than one month, or passes the bill with amendments to which the Legislative Assembly does not agree.
Temple regulation in India:
- Article 25(2) of the constitution allows states to enact laws for regulating the secular activities of religious places and for social welfare, reform, or the opening of Hindu religious institutions to all sections of Hindus.
- The management of religious endowments and institutions falls under the concurrent list of the Constitution, meaning that both the central and state governments have the authority to legislate on this matter.
