Bengaluru, March 4 : Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Friday proposed to free Hindu temples in the state from government control by giving autonomy to those coming under the Endowment department. “There is a long-pending demand to do away with government control on temples. By considering these demands of devotees, autonomy will be given to them under the purview of Endowment Department,” said the Chief Minister, presenting his maiden budget in the state Assembly. Bommai had first given the indication of freeing Hindu temples from government control, while addressing the BJP state executive meeting in December last year. He had fuelled the burning demand of Hindu seers and voters over the government control on temples. Necessary legal action will be taken to delegate the discretion of developmental works to the temples, Bommai said. The Tastik amount will be increased from Rs 48,000 to Rs 60,000 to help out the Archakaru, Agamikaru and employees of endowment temples, he added. The Integrated Temple Management System software will be implemented to provide various services of temples online, said the Chief Minister. BDN RJ