Rajasthan govt to privatise temples

"Forty-seven such identified temples would be taken up in the first phase and lease would be granted through open bidding to interested trusts or people," Rajasthan tourism minister Usha Punia said in Jaipur.

Under the project 'Apna Dham, Apna Kam, Apna Nam' a 30-year lease would be signed between the state government and private bidders on build-operate transfer basis like the national highways, she said.

The state government's budget was meagre and could not maintain over 90,000 temples in the state and it was necessary to respect the feelings and religious sentiments of people, Punia said.

"The project does not include any mosque or church," she said.