Karnataka Bill to Tax Temples Defeated in State Legislative Council

Bengaluru: Congress-led government in Karnataka faced a major setback as its bill to mandate a 10 per cent tax on the income of temples with revenues of more than Rs 1 crore was defeated in the state legislative council on Friday evening.

Two days back, the state assembly passed the bill. Opposition BJP criticized the bill and accused the Congress of implementing ‘Anti-Hindu’ policies.

In the legislative council or Upper House in Karnataka, the Congress has 30 MLCs, the BJP has 35, eight MLCs are from the JD(S) and there is one independent candidate. One seat is vacant in the council. So, the bill could not be passed in the legislative council.

‘Karnataka Hindu Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowment Amendment Bill 2024’ mandated the state to collect 10 per cent tax from temples that have revenues exceeding Rs 1 crore and 5 per cent from those with revenues ranging between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 1 crore.