KARWAR
The famous Gokarna Mahabaleshwara Temple in the district has been hit by income tax. The Income Tax Department has issued a notice to the temple for non-payment of income tax in connection with its financial dealings. A notice has been issued to the temple management to pay Rs 1.38 crore in taxes.
Gokarna is popularly known as Dakshina Kashi. Thousands of devotees from across the country and abroad visit the Mahabaleshwar temple in Gokarna, where the atma linga of Lord Shiva is located. However, the dispute over the administration of the temple has gone to the Supreme Court. At present, the governing body is headed by retired Supreme Court judges.
The Income Tax department officials have shocked the Mahabaleshwar temple. The Income Tax department has issued a notice to the temple management asking it to pay around Rs 1.38 crore as income tax money from the temple. Following this, members of the temple's Supervisory Committee, headed by retired Supreme Court judge BN Srikrishna, held a virtual meeting. In this meeting, it was decided to appoint auditors for the current financial transactions since 2008. It has been decided that further action should be taken as per the report submitted by him, Deputy Commissioner Gangubai Mankar said.
In 2008, the then Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa had demanded that the temple should belong to Sri Ramachandrapura Mutt in the administration of the Mahabaleshwara temple, which belonged to the Muzrai Department. The Yediyurappa-led state government had released the administration of the temple from the Muzrai department and handed it over to the mutt.
Since then, the Court has been hearing cases, arguments by rival factions of the Mutt, and finally, in 2018, a division bench of the High Court ordered that the management of the temple be handed over to a government-appointed committee. It was suggested to form a committee headed by retired Supreme Court Judge BN Srikrishna.
In 2015-16, the temple was administered by Ramachandrapura Mutt. The income tax department has asked the Management to pay the tax as there was a discrepancy in the financial transactions at that time. This also led to a demand for an inquiry into the then administration.
Deputy Commissioner Gangubai Mankar said the Income Tax department has asked to pay 20 percent of the penalty amount till the tax is paid. The Deputy Commissioner also said the members of the temple's supervisory committee have held a meeting to pay the amount and the tax amount will be paid soon.