The High Court of Himachal Pradesh has directed the state authorities concerned that every rupee collected by temples must be spent solely on religious, “dharmic” or charitable purposes directly related to them.

The court has held that the temple revenue cannot be treated as general revenue of the state or diverted for any government welfare scheme, civic project or non-religious venture.

A Division Bench comprising Justice Vivek Singh Thakur and Justice Rakesh Kainthla passed detailed directions in this regard. According to the directives, temple funds cannot be utilised for the construction of roads, bridges or public buildings not directly connected with it, for financing government welfare or public benefit schemes and for investments in private industries or profit-making enterprise

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