Priests to get salaries on par with state staff
Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao on Friday announced that priests and employees working in temples will get salaries on par with state government employees from November onwards.
Salaries will be paid on the first of every month through the treasury. The decision will benefit 5,625 priests working in temples functioning under the jurisdiction of Endowments department.
The pay scales are yet to be finalised.
Officials said the pay scale will be decided in October based on the seniority of the priest.
Mr Rao also announced extension of the “Dhoopa Deepa Naivedyam” scheme, presently being implemented in 1,805 temples, to another 3,000 temples.
Under the scheme, monthly financial assistance of `6,000 is extended to temples with no source of income for the daily rituals.
Mr Rao said that a Dharmika Parishad to supervise and monitor temple-related issues will soon be set up.
“Though they enjoy respect in the society, in reality a majority of the archakas are finding it difficult to eke out a living. Parents are reluctant to give their daughters in marriage to to those working as archakas, such is their pitiable condition. Their salaries are dependent on temple managements and they are at the mercy of others. Now there will be a drastic change in the situation,” Mr Rao said.
The salary of the priests will be revised when PRC is implemented.