CM announces pay hike for Archakas, temple staff

Hyderabad: Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao has announced that Archakas and employees working in the temples will be given the state Government’s pay scales from the coming November.

The Dhoop Deep, Naivedyam programme, which is being implemented in 1805 temples, will be extended to another 3000 temples in the State, the CM said. The Chief Minister also declared that to supervise and monitor Temple related issues, a Dharmika Parishad is formed. He held a meeting with the Archakas who came from all over the State at Pragati Bhavan here on Friday.

Ministers Indrakaran Reddy, T Harish Rao, T Srinivas Yadav, T Nageswara Rao, Nayani Narasimha Reddy, MP Capt Laxmikanth Rao, Government’s Advisor KV Ramanachary, MLCs Puranam Satish, Karne Prabhakar, Srinivas Reddy, Endowments Commissioner Shivshankar, Joint Commissioner Krishnaveni and others participated.

“After the Independence, lot of atrocities took place on a large-scale on temples. Governments have not given even a single acre to the temples. They have become indifferent to Temple lands being grabbed and went to others hands. This injustice was more in the Telangana region during the united AP rule. Our temples have not been treated as temples or our Pushkarams as Pushkarams. They have not treated our lives as lives. Nobody took any interest in the development of temples in the region. After Telangana state was formed, we have paid keen attention to the temples development, problems faced by the Archakas and the Brahmin welfare. We are taking one after one measure,” he said.

The Chief Minister said that the State Government was developing Yadadri, Vemulawada, Bhadradri and other temples in a planned manner. In the past 1805 temples were given Rs 2,500 per month for the Dhoop, Deep naivedyam. The Telangana government has increased it to Rs 6,000. We will give Rs 6,000 per month to another 3,000 temples in the State. With this Dhoop, Deep Naivedyam scheme will be implemented in 4805 temples in the State,” the CM explained.

“Though Archakas enjoy respect in the society, but in reality a majority of them finding it difficult to eke out a living. Parents are not giving their daughters in marriage to those working as Archakas, and such is the pitiable condition. Archakas salaries are dependent on Temple managements and they are at the mercy of others. Now there will be a drastic change in that situation from now onwards. From now, Archakas and other temple employees numbering about 5625 will get their salaries on 1st of every month like any other government employee. Based on their status they will get the government employees salaries. Pay scales will be implemented from November onwards. When PRC is implemented to the state government employees, temple employees salaries will also be revised,” the Chief Minister assured amidst thunderous applause from the gathering.

“The situation of government bossing over the temples should go. This is the reason why we are forming Dharmika Parishad to take care of the temple administration and other issues thereby reducing the government’s role. The temple administration will be entrusted to the Dharmika Parishad. For the welfare of Brahmins we have launched Brahmin Welfare Parishad with Rs 100 crore fund. We are launching new programme under this Parishad. Bring it to the notice of the Parishad the problems faced by Archakas and Brahmins and get them solved,” the CM said.

The Chief Minister said that temple lands have gone to the wrong persons. “Now we have statistics to show that there are about 83,000 acres under the temples. The government will take special action to protect these lands. Archakas should concentrate more on the temple administration and other divine duties. Take care that no mistakes are committed. If you perform Archana well, The God will bless us. During the statehood agitation, you all have actively involved and performed poojas for the realization of a separate State. Whenever I visited a temple then you always blessed with Manovanchaya Phalasiddhirasttu, Telangana Praptirastu (May your desire gets fulfilled, Telangana be achieved). God has granted our wish. Your blessings became real. Now we got Telangana State. We are taking up several measures for development of temples, Archakas welfare and Brahmin welfare. We will expand the Dharmika Parishad. We will plan the Dharmika Parishad programmes in consultation with the Tridandi China Jeer Swamy ji, Srungeri Peethadhipathi and Kanchi Kama Koti Peetaadhipathis and take their advices and suggestions. After solving Archakas problems and taking other decisions, I felt as though I had eaten 15 Laddus,” the CM remarked albeit in a lighter vein.