Funds to Mutts by Govt – Neglecting Minorities?

March 25, 2010

wilma_serrao

I was going through a famous website where I was caught by a news write-up on the allocation of funds to mutts by the Government. The reason - they have their hospitals and educational institutions in the rural areas which offer social service to the society. Frankly speaking the funds which the government has allotted for these mutts are the money of common people which they give in form of tax to the government.


Mutts are religious associations which are headed by the Hindu priests. They look after the temples and few other associations which work under them. Yes, it is true that they serve the society through educational institutions, hospitals and other social service but are mutts the only institutions serving the society? Aren’t there other social service groups, organizations and even individuals who render their services to the society? We have many Catholic and other social service groups and individuals who have been offering their service to the society without any expectations. Social work is a profession committed to the pursuit of social justice, to quality of life, and to the development of the full potential of each individual, group and community in a society. We can find these associations organized into local, national, continental and international Professional bodies rendering their services to the society.

So far, the government has been offering huge amounts to the mutts and other Hindu organizations in the name of development. These are few examples - The Mata Amritanandamayi Institutions received a 15 acre land and a grant of Rs 5 crore for establishing a super-speciality hospital at Kengeri in Bangalore. The Adichunchangiri Kshethra of Vokkaligas was owed a grant of Rs 5 crore for development of infrastructure facilities in Nagamangala. Rs 10 crore was allocated for Yediyur Siddalingeshwara Kshethra. Tirupati and Shabarimalai received Rs 5 crore each, Rs 3 crore for Manasa Sarovara, Rs 2 crore for Dattatreya Peetha. Rs 3 crore for Sri Someshwar Kshethra at Rambhapuri. Rs 1 crore for the development of Hariharapura Kshethra in Chikmagalur district; Rs 10 crore for the development works of Kaginele, Rs 5 crore for completing the works at Shravanabelagola Bahubali temple complex, Rs 5 crore for completing the Kudalasangama development works and Rs 5 crore for Basava Kalyana.


The efforts of Catholic institutions withe regard to charitable activities in India are extensive. There are nearly 60% of the Catholic schools situated in rural areas with emphasis on poor relief and welfare. There are Catholic Institutions run by the Jesuits, who offer education from primary to higher level all over India. We have Apostolic Carmels who have been giving their services in value-based education, with special attention to the disadvantaged sections of society through various levels of education: pre-primary, primary, secondary, pre-university, higher, technical and special education for the disabled and women in society. Catholic Associations provide an estimated 22 percent of all health-care services in all over India. We also have innumerable Muslim Associations as well as individuals who have been contributing for the development of downtrodden. All over India we have Islamic Associations who have made their name in providing free and value based education and service to all the section of the society. They serve in the field of health, education, justice and many more. It is not only Christian, and Muslim organizations but we have so many individuals and organizations representing various communities who work for the betterment of the society.


My question is, are the services rendered by these associations other than Mutts unseen or are they unaccountable? Why are they being totally neglected? Why the government is not allotting the same funds for these associations and institutions? Is it because they are run by the Catholics and Muslims? Here I am not speaking for or against any community but this is what I assume looking at the work of our government. Let the government give us the accounts of all allocation of these funds. When it is the money of public it cannot be used as per Government requirements. Presently the Government has allotted the fund for the mutts in regards to the improvement of education and medical facilities in rural areas. Will the mutts use these funds to achieve their motives? I doubt whether the requirements of the rural people will be fulfilled.


The government cannot be unequal when it works for the society. Few say that when you work for the society the service shouldn’t be acknowledged. Concern with charity should be the aim of all social service groups. But the government cannot be partial in money matter. I appreciate the works of mutts and other social organizations which they render to the society. But there are many other works which are pending only because of lack of money like road construction in rural areas, water facility, health and hygiene and many more. I think the government should concentrate more towards these aspects of development and work for the best. People need the basic necessities of life to be fulfilled and not the high class facilities. So let the government fulfill these needs and then go for higher plans. It is people’s Government. Let the Government work for the welfare of the people and society and not for associations or organizations.

(The author is a student of Mass Communication and Media Studies (MCMS) at St Aloysius College, Mangalore)


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