Only one Xatra of the 162 religious institutions got annuity: Asom Sattra Mahasabha

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Only one xatra of the 162 religious institutions received the annuity in fiscal 2020-21.

Speaking to The Sentinel, Asom Sattra Mahasabha general secretary Kushum Kumar Mahanta said, "It is very unfortunate that most of the religious institutes did not get the annuity in the last financial year. It is now the responsibility of the present government in the state to release the amount at the earliest. The money is needed for the maintenance and upkeep of the religious institutions."

Mahanta further said that all the remaining xatras which follow the principles of spiritualism, xatriya culture, continue the literary contributions of the gurujana (mentor), help people to earn a livelihood and ensures social responsibility should also be included under the annuity scheme.

The State Government has been giving the annuity to the 162 religious institutions in lieu of the lands acquired from them earlier. The Government of Assam had acquired vast swathes of land under the 'Assam State Acquisition of Lands Belonging to Religious or Charitable Institutions of Public Nature Act, 1959,' and has been paying perpetual annuity to these religious institutions.

The Assam government had decided to award an additional annuity to each of them in 2019-20. The Government has increased the additional annuity amount by Rs 2 lakh for each of these religious institutions.

As announced in Budget 2019-20, the government will continue to provide an additional Rs 2 lakh annuity grant to each of the religious institutions in the financial year 2020-21 as well.

This hike in annuity grant is in sync with the State government's decision to boost the financial condition of the religious institutions of historical importance. The additional grant is given under the 'Asom Darshan Annuity Grant to Devalayas' Scheme.

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