"Government is running Sukh Ashray scheme to support helpless children": Pratibha Singh responds to LoP Jairam Thakur's allegations

Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], February 28 (ANI): Himachal Pradesh Congress Chief Pratibha Singh on Friday responded to allegations by Leader of Opposition (LoP) Jairam Thakur regarding the state government's request for funds from temples to finance the Sukh Ashray scheme.
Singh said that the government was running the Sukh Ashray scheme to support the education of helpless children and to give them a better life. She further stated that the scheme was for a good cause.
Speaking to ANI, Singh assured that the scheme's intent was noble, stating, "Our government is running the Sukh-Aashray scheme for a good cause. This scheme was launched for the helpless children, to support their education and give them a better life..."
She further said that the money was not just being used to run the finances of the temple and the government had called everyone to donate amount for the welfare of the children.
"It is not only about temples. We are calling everyone who can to come and donate an amount for the welfare of the children. Organisations other than temples should also come forward and contribute to the good cause..." she further stated.
Earlier in the day, LoP Jairam Thakur had accused the Himachal government of asking for money from state-controlled temples to finance the Sukh Ashray scheme.
In a post on X, the Himachal Pradesh Assembly LoP stated that there are around 36 major temples under state government control, and these temples have been requested to provide funds to run the government scheme.
"On one hand, the Sukhu government opposes Sanatana Dharma, keeps giving anti-Hindu statements and on the other hand, it wants to run the government's flagship scheme by taking money from temples. The government is demanding money from temples, and pressure is being put on officials to send the money to the government. The Bharatiya Janata Party opposes this decision of the government, he said.
Furthermore, Jairam Thakur alleged that district administrations were pressuring the temple trusts to contribute funds.
"A secretary of the Himachal Pradesh government department has written a letter to the deputy commissioner that the money in temple trusts should be deposited in the government treasury so that they can spend that money to run government schemes... This is sad and unfortunate. No government has ever taken money from temples and trusts to spend it on government schemes," he said.
He further said that any funds previously taken from temple trusts were only in the event of disasters.
"They have not only given orders to take money from temple trusts, they are also taking follow-ups... This decision should be opposed... The people who are in the temple, the trusts and committees, should also protest," he said.
Jairam Thakur further said that they will oppose this government decision.
"We will strongly oppose this decision. The Vidhan Sabha session is also going to start on the 10th; we will strongly oppose this inside and outside the Vidhan Sabha," Thakur said. (ANI)