Karnataka rolls out measures to enforce plastic ban in temples from August 15

From August 15, the use of all types of plastic — including water bottles — will be strictly prohibited in all temples under the State’s Religious Endowment Department, and measures are being put in place to enforce it, said Transport and Muzrai Minister Ramalinga Reddy.

Replying to members in the Legislative Council, the Minister said several measures have been taken to keep the premises inside and outside notified/declared temples and institutions clean.

Management unit

A project management unit has been set up, and in the first phase, 25 temples under the department have been selected for the installation of solid and liquid waste management units. Locations have been identified for these units, and a team of experts will oversee scientific waste disposal, he said.

Officials of temples under the department’s jurisdiction have been instructed to impose fines if plastic products are used within their premises. However, this order will not apply to private temples, the Minister clarified.

The Minister further stated that funds collected in government temples will be used only for the maintenance, renovation, and basic facilities of the respective temples, as well as for educational institutions run by them and other religious purposes, not for any other purpose.

Pointing out that efforts will be made to adopt the practice of chanting mantras in Kannada in the temples of the State, Mr. Reddy said that if mantras are recited in Kannada, everyone will be able to understand them.

Temples in tribal areas

He also assured the Legislative Council that grants will be provided through the Social Welfare Department for small shrines belonging to people living inside forests.

Replying to BJP MLC Shantharam Budna Siddi in the Council, the Minister said grants can be sanctioned under the Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan (SCP) and Tribal Sub-Plan (TSP) schemes for shrine construction in areas where tribal and forest-dwelling communities live. The matter would be discussed with the Social Welfare Minister, he said, adding that limited grants could also be provided through the Muzrai Department using his special powers.

Mr. Siddi said that there are about 50 tribal and forest-dwelling communities, of which 40 live inside forests. These communities often worship in front of stone idols. He pointed out that there is currently no grant available to build shrines in such places.