Madhya Pradesh has cut its temple renovation and restoration budget by roughly two-thirds over three years, according to a written reply tabled in the state Assembly. The reply shows sanctioned funds fell from Rs 12,05,73,610 in 2023–24 to Rs 8,35,73,367 in 2024–25 and to Rs 4,11,90,059 in 2025–26. Released amounts followed the same trend: Rs 11,99,73,610 in 2023–24, Rs 8,28,55,367 in 2024–25 and Rs 3,98,58,679 in 2025–26.
In absolute terms, sanctioned funds have declined by about Rs 7.94 crore and released funds by roughly Rs 8 crore over the three-year span, a fall of approximately 66–67 percent that leaves the renovation budget at nearly one‑third of its 2023–24 level.
The Assembly response notes the state is responsible for 22,098 government‑administered temples, with Ujjain district alone accounting for 2,536 of them-the highest concentration in Madhya Pradesh. Critics say such a wide portfolio of sites makes effective restoration difficult when available state funds for renovation are under Rs 4 crore.
Responding in the Assembly, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Culture, Tourism, Religious Trusts and Endowments Dharmendra Lodhi defended the government’s record and highlighted the state’s religious heritage. “From a religious perspective, Madhya Pradesh is extremely prosperous,” he said, noting the state’s two Jyotirlingas, four Shakti Peeths and many sacred sites and asserting that the government is “continuously working for the protection, maintenance, and rejuvenation of over 22,000 temples.”
The minister also pointed to other expenditures, saying Rs 21.96 crore had been provided as honorarium to priests and Rs 42 crore spent under the Chief Minister’s pilgrimage scheme. When questioned by NDTV about the falling renovation allocations, he maintained that Rs 25 crore is made available for temple rejuvenation and called claims of reduction “not accurate,” a discrepancy that has triggered political controversy.
Congress spokesperson Bhupendra Gupta accused the government of shirking responsibility, saying, “This government has started deceiving even God, religion and temples. The renovation budget has been cut by two‑thirds. From Rs 12 crore to barely Rs 4 crore, this is the real face of the government.” The cuts come as Madhya Pradesh’s public debt and borrowing needs rise, and while the government notes many temples are managed by independent trusts, the state‑administered temples have seen a clear, steady decline in sanctioned and released renovation funds.
Original Source: https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/madhya-pradesh-slashes-temple-renovation-budget-by-two-thirds-in-3-years-11152056#publisher=newsstand
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Publish Date: 2026-03-01 04:27:00
