DHARAMSALA, INDIA, December 6, 2014 (Free Press Journal): Gold and silver worth approx. US$29 million is in the possession of 29 prominent government-controlled Hindu temples in Himachal Pradesh, Revenue Minister Kaul Singh said in the state assembly Saturday.
The government will sign an agreement with the public sector Metals and Minerals Trading Corporation (MMTC) for purification of 1,000 lbs. of gold and 35,000 lbs. of silver gifted to the temples, he said. Replying to a question, he said the total worth of the gold at the current market price is $20.5 million, while the worth of the silver is $8.4 million.
Ten percent of the gold can be used for various activities related to the temples, 20 percent can be invested in the State Bank of India’s gold bond scheme, 20 percent in reserve of the temples, while the remaining 50 percent will be minted for souvenirs, including coins and the mementoes for sale.