If the Temples receive government grants, then why not?
If Temples/Churches do not receive government grants, then RTI is nonest.
Cheers
floriano
goasuraj
----- Original Message -----
From: "Manoj Raikar" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>; <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, August 06, 2010 12:50 PM
Subject: [Goanet] Please do not support RTI against temples
6 August 2010
Manohar Parrikar
Goa
Hello Bhai,
We have high hopes from you as a leader of Goa , I request you not to
support RTI against Goan Temples.
Goan temples are looted by the Mahajans of temples.I am pained and feeling
very sad that u are supporting Mahajans who are using temple funds to
further their personal business interests.
I enclose news item appearing in The Times of India.
-----xxxxxxxxxxxx-----------xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx--------
'Temples do not come under purview of RTI'
TNN, Aug 6, 2010, 04.42am IST
PANAJI: Temples and devasthans are private bodies belonging to Mahajans
who manage their own affairs under their respective by-laws. Therefore,
these do not come under the purview of the right to information (RTI) Act,
revenue minister Jose Philip D'Souza told the legislative assembly on
Thursday.
D'Souza's announcement came following a calling attention motion by
opposition leader Manohar Parrikar on the issue. Parrikar expressed
"anxiety and apprehension in the minds of people that the goverment
intends to bring temples and other religious institutions under RTI."
Parrikar stated that the apprehension is further enhanced due to a
circular of the North Goa collector dated July 16 asking all temples heads
to give vital information, including data on assets, to M Athikesavan of
Tamil Nadu.
Having assured that temples do not come under the RTI, D'Souza also
announced that the government was withdrawing the said circular of the
North Goa collector.
In his written reply, D'Souza said that the state government has
considered the matter raised by Parrikar as well as the provisions of the
devasthan regulations law. D'Souza said the government holds that
devasthans are neither public authorities nor local authorities. They are
private temples managed by a body of Mahajans and governed by their own
by-laws. They are only regulated by the regulations governing Hindu
temples (devasthans) of Goa, Daman and Diu.
D'Souza stated that the mamlatdar has limited powers of supervision, being
the administrator, in terms of the said regulations. Devasthans are
neither constituted by any law made by the Parliament or the state
legislature, nor are they bodies controlled or in any way, financed
directly or indirectly, or in any matter funded by the state government.
Hence the state has no deep or pervasive control but only a limited role.
This role is in terms of the regulations whereby the mamlatdar of the
taluka, as an administrator, supervises the Hindu temples without any
interference in the management, D'Souza said.
My Comments:
Temples get donations from public and hence they are accountable to
public. All the donations have to be used for public charitable purposes,
which presently is not being done by temples in Goa.
In Mumbai various temples give scholarships and donate beds in hospitals.
As a student I used to receive scholarship from Mahalaxmi temple and many
other temples.
Mahajans of temples in Goa are treating temple donations as their
individual property and looting the temples, using temple funds
collectively for their personal businesses. Mahajans are like Mughal
invaders plundering public property.
Incidentally all big temples mahajans belong to a particular community and
with their grip over socio-political scenario in Goa, they are thwarting
all attempts to bring transparency in the management of temples.
Hindu Goans have got political freedom but they still have not received
religious freedom from this Mahajans who still use Portuguese legislation
to retain their control over temple property. Majority of Goans have no
managment right in their "KUL DEV TEMPLES" AND THEY ARE TREATED LIKE DIRT.
Not bringing temples of Goa under the purview of RTI Act is great
injustice to Goans. Surprising that Manohar Parrikar belonging to BJP
champion of Hindu philosophy is supporting this outdated Portuguese
legislation intended to benefit a few.
Time will come when Hindu Goans will fight this Mahajans and use temple
funds for the betterment of all Goans
Regards
Manoj
Manoj Raikar
* * *
Was life in the *kudds* glamourised? Who said, "It appears that the
Goanese (sic) are a roving people, prepared to go to any part of the world
for well-paid employment"? How did Goans find their first toehold in the
Gulf? Find your answers in Selma
Carvalho's *Into the Goan Diaspora Wilderness*. Buy from
Broadways Book Centre, Panjim [Ph +91-9822488564] Price (in
Goa only) Rs 295. http://selmacarvalho.squarespace.com/
* * *
* * *
Was life in the *kudds* glamourised? Who said, "It appears that the Goanese (sic)
are a roving people, prepared to go to any part of the world for well-paid
employment"? How did Goans find their first toehold in the Gulf? Find your answers
in Selma
Carvalho's *Into the Goan Diaspora Wilderness*. Buy from
Broadways Book Centre, Panjim [Ph +91-9822488564] Price (in
Goa only) Rs 295. http://selmacarvalho.squarespace.com/
* * *
