Bengaluru: Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has said that the state government is considering a plan to use gold and jewellery stored in temples to decorate deities. He said proper records would be kept to ensure the gold remains safe.
The announcement was made during his visit to the Renuka Yellamma Temple in Savadatti, Belagavi district.
42 Kg of Temple Gold Under Consideration
Shivakumar said he had asked the state’s religious endowments minister to explore the use of around 42 kg of gold held by the temple for decorating the deity. The government is also considering a similar scheme for temples across Karnataka.
₹215 Crore for Temple Development
The state government has set aside ₹215 crore to improve the Yellamma temple complex. Plans include better accommodation and free meals for devotees.
Other Development Plans
Shivakumar also announced plans to support poor farmers who own less than three acres of land by arranging tractor services. An irrigation project worth more than ₹500 crore is underway in Savadatti.
The government has also allocated around ₹43 crore for local development work, including healthcare and infrastructure projects.
The proposed temple gold scheme is still under consideration. Further details will depend on the government’s decisions.
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