Bhubaneswar: The state government has enhanced financial assistance for more than 4,000 temples under the Odisha Hindu Religious Endowments Act, the state Assembly was informed on Saturday.
This information was shared by Law Minister Prithviraj Harichandan while answering a question by BJP MLA Tankadhar Tripathy in the House,
The Minister further stated that that the ma
nagement of over 18,000 Hindu temples in the state falls under the Odisha Hindu Religious Endowment Commission.
Of these, 4,145 temples had applied for assistance over the last five years. These temples have received a total of Rs 26.50 crore to support various religious events, rituals, and essential expenses.
The Minister presented a year-wise details of sanctioned aid, showing a significant increase in the current fiscal year. While Rs 5 crore assistance was provided in 2020–21, Rs 4.5 crore each was given in 2021–22 and 2022–23, Rs 5 crore in 2023–24 under the previous BJD government and Rs 7.5 crore in 2024–25 under the BJP government.
The latest allocation for assistance to the temples marks an increase of Rs 2.5 crore compared to the previous fiscal.