GOKP

Grant For Oru Kala Pooja

Annual financial assistance is provided to Hindu Religious Institutions in Puducherry with limited resources, covering expenses for Oru Kala Pooja, Current Consumption Charges, and Water Consumption Charges. Each temple can receive up to ₹20,000 for Oru Kala Pooja, ensuring the preservation of cultural practices and supporting the temple authorities in their religious activities.

State Cash

States / UT: Puducherry

Nodal department: Hindu Religious Institutions and Wakf Department, Puducherry

Scheme for: Individual

Scheme profile

DBT (direct benefit transfer): No

Categories: Travel & Tourism, Sports & Culture

Sub-categories: Tourism in India, Culture

Target beneficiaries: University / Institution

Tags: Grant, Temple, Financial Assistance, Religion, Heritage

Details

The scheme "Grant For Oru Kala Pooja" was launched by the Hindu Religious Institutions and Wakf Department, Union Territory of Puducherry. The primary aim is to help these temples meet the ongoing expenses towards the performance of Oru Kala Pooja. The scheme offers ₹20,000/- per annum per temple for Oru Kala Pooja. Additionally, assistance of ₹1,000/- and ₹500/- per annum per temple is granted for Current Consumption Charges and Water Consumption Charges, respectively, upon producing paid bills. The concerned temple authority must apply using the prescribed format along with specific documents.

Benefits

  • - Financial assistance of ₹20,000/- per annum per temple for meeting expenses towards the performance of Oru Kala Pooja
  • Financial assistance of ₹1,000/- per annum per temple for meeting expenses towards Current Consumption Charges
  • Financial assistance of ₹500/- per annum per temple for meeting expenses towards Water Consumption Charges. Disbursement
  • Financial assistance shall be sanctioned within three months time
  • Sanction is dependent upon the availability of funds
  • Assistance for Current Consumption Charges and Water Consumption Charges is granted on the production of bills paid by the temple authority. Conditions for Availment/Continuation of Benefits
  • The grant of financial assistance sanctioned must be utilized strictly for the purpose for which it is sanctioned
  • The temple authority must produce the Original Vouchers for having utilized the amount towards the performance of Oru Kala Pooja
  • The temple authority must provide an Utilization Certificate for having fully utilized the amount for the purpose sought
  • Any portion of the amount which remains unspent or unutilized shall be duly surrendered to the Commissioner, Hindu Religious Institutions, Puducherry
  • The Government reserves the power to call for the accounts of the temple for the amount sanctioned
  • The accounts relating to the financial assistance sanctioned are subject to audit by the Directorate of Accounts & Treasuries, Puducherry or any other competent authority
  • Financial assistance of ₹20,000/- per annum per temple for meeting expenses towards the performance of Oru Kala Pooja.
  • Financial assistance of ₹1,000/- per annum per temple for meeting expenses towards Current Consumption Charges.
  • Financial assistance of ₹500/- per annum per temple for meeting expenses towards Water Consumption Charges.
Disbursement
  • Financial assistance shall be sanctioned within three months time.
  • Sanction is dependent upon the availability of funds.
  • Assistance for Current Consumption Charges and Water Consumption Charges is granted on the production of bills paid by the temple authority.
Conditions for Availment/Continuation of Benefits
  • The grant of financial assistance sanctioned must be utilized strictly for the purpose for which it is sanctioned.
  • The temple authority must produce the Original Vouchers for having utilized the amount towards the performance of Oru Kala Pooja.
  • The temple authority must provide an Utilization Certificate for having fully utilized the amount for the purpose sought.
  • Any portion of the amount which remains unspent or unutilized shall be duly surrendered to the Commissioner, Hindu Religious Institutions, Puducherry.
  • The Government reserves the power to call for the accounts of the temple for the amount sanctioned.
  • The accounts relating to the financial assistance sanctioned are subject to audit by the Directorate of Accounts & Treasuries, Puducherry or any other competent authority.

Eligibility

  • The applicant must be the concerned temple authority.
  • The temple must be situated in the Union Territory of Puducherry.
  • The temple must have poor resources.

Exclusions


Application Process

Offline

Step 1: The interested applicant should take a printout of the prescribed format of the application form. Alternatively, the interested applicant may request the hard copy of the prescribed format of the application form from the concerned authority at the temple.
Step 2: In the application form, fill in all the mandatory fields, and attach copies of all the mandatory documents.
Step 3: Submit the duly filled and signed application form, along with the documents, to the concerned authority at the temple.
Application Processing and Concurrence

  • The processing time for the application shall be 15 days.
  • Eligibility factors are assessed in accordance with the scheme rules and subsequently processed to the Finance Department for concurrence.

Final Sanction and Disbursement

  • Financial assistance shall be sanctioned in three months' time.
  • The final decision involves the Commissioner, the Secretary (Hindu Religious Institutions), and the Chief Secretary.

Clarifications

Additional points from the scheme information published on myScheme (not legal advice).

Is it absolutely necessary for the religious institution applying for this specific financial assistance to provide documentation detailing their annual financial standing and various income sources?
Yes, a certificate detailing the total annual income from all sources, such as hundis, donations, and properties, must be enclosed; this certificate is obtained from an officer nominated by the Commissioner, Hindu Religious Institutions. <br>
What type of documentation is mandatory to establish the legal status or ownership of the land where the religious institution is currently situated?
A copy of the document providing details regarding the land in which the temple is situated must be submitted along with the formal application. <br>
What specific financial status or economic background must a religious institution possess to qualify for receiving this particular financial assistance?
The temple must be categorized as an institution having poor resources in order to meet out the expenses towards the performance of Oru Kala Pooja. <br>
How much financial assistance can a temple expect to receive annually solely dedicated toward expenses incurred for the daily primary worship ritual?
Temples meeting the criteria are eligible for a financial grant of ₹20,000/- per annum per temple specifically for performing the Oru Kala Pooja. <br>
How long does the department typically take to complete the internal verification and processing of the application after its initial submission?
The standard internal processing time for the application for financial assistance for the performance of Oru Kala Pooja is generally specified as 15 days. <br>
If the temple receives financial assistance but does not fully utilize the sanctioned amount, what protocol must be followed regarding the remaining funds?
Any portion of the sanctioned grant amount that remains unspent or unutilized shall be duly surrendered to the Commissioner, Hindu Religious Institutions, Puducherry. <br>
Is it necessary for the religious institution applying for this financial assistance to provide details of their banking arrangement?
Yes, a copy of the Bank Account held in the name of the temple must be submitted as part of the application materials. <br>
What is the typical timeframe for expecting the sanction of financial aid once the application procedures have been successfully completed?
Financial assistance generally takes approximately three months to be sanctioned, but this timeframe is contingent upon the availability of government funds. <br>
In addition to electricity charges, can the temple also claim an annual grant designated for fulfilling expenses related to water consumption costs?
Yes, a separate financial assistance of ₹500/- per annum per temple is granted to help meet expenses incurred towards Water Consumption Charges. <br>
Which geographical jurisdiction or regions must the applicant institution be located within to be considered eligible for this grant?
The religious institution must be one of the temples situated within the geographical boundaries of the Union Territory of Puducherry. <br>
What supporting evidence must be submitted to successfully claim the financial aid allocated for the water and electricity usage costs?
The financial assistance specifically intended for Current Consumption Charges and Water Consumption Charges is granted upon the mandatory production of bills paid by the temple authority. <br>
After the grant is sanctioned, what documents must the temple authorities produce later to prove proper utilization of the funds received?
Temple authorities must produce the Original Vouchers for materials purchased and an Utilization Certificate confirming the use of the funds for the sanctioned purpose. <br>
Are applicants required to provide visual evidence demonstrating the current physical appearance and state of the religious structure?
Yes, the application process mandates that photographs showing the present condition of the temple must be submitted along with the other required documents. <br>
Who is specifically recognized by the Department as the appropriate representative authorized to formally submit the application for this assistance?
The concerned temple authority is the designated entity required to submit the application for the sanction of the grant. <br>

References

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Documents Required for Government Schemes

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