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New Indian Express
3 hours ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Chilkur priest welcomes Telangana government's welfare measures for archakas
HYDERABAD: Temples Protection Movement convenor and the hereditary archaka of Chilkur Balaji temple, CS Rangarajan, welcomed the Telangana government's recent initiatives for the welfare of archakas and temple employees in rural areas. He said archakas and temple staff across the state have responded positively to the setting up of the Archaka Welfare Fund Trust, a move that had been delayed since the state's bifurcation in 2014. Even the Archaka and Temple Employees Welfare Trust established in undivided Andhra Pradesh in 1997, following a Supreme Court judgment, was never fully implemented, he noted, adding that several demands had remained unfulfilled for over 17 years. Rangarajan appreciated Endowments Minister Konda Surekha for fulfilling a long-standing aspiration of temple priests and employees by launching a dedicated welfare trust on June 9. The trust will benefit around 13,700 priests and staff up to the assistant commissioner level under the Endowments department. The fund will offer retirement and posthumous gratuity to archakas, including those under the Dhoopa Deepa Naivedyam scheme. It will also cover medical reimbursements, marriage support, Upanayana Sanskaram, housing needs, education and aid for employees with disabilities unable to perform their duties. For 90-year-old Dr MV Soundara Rajan, who has fought for the revival of the temple system in courts and the legislature, this initiative marks a long-awaited step in the right direction, Rangarajan said in a statement on Wednesday.
Hans India
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Archakas across state elated over govt steps
Hyderabad: Temples Protection Movement convenor and Hereditary Archaka of Chilkur Balaji Temple CS Rangarajan appreciated the targeted initiatives of the Telangana Government with regards to welfare of Archakas and Temple Employees of rural temples which have been long pending for over 17 years. Rangarajan said that Archakas and Temple employees across Telangana were welcoming the initiatives of the government led by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy towards Archaka welfare fund trust. Setting up of the full fledged Trust was long pending after the State Bifurcation in 2014. Even the Archaka and Temple Employees Welfare Trust of undivided AP was established in 1997 after the Supreme Court Judgement on Archakas with the same objectives had not been completely implemented. Rangarajan said that the Endowments Minister Konda Surekha has fulfilled a long-standing aspiration of Archakas (temple priests) and employees across Telangana by establishing a dedicated welfare fund. This initiative aims to provide crucial support to those who have diligently served in temples for extended periods. On Monday, Endowment Minister Konda Surekha, joined by Endowment Principal Secretary Shailaja Ramaiyar, Director Venkata Rao, and other officials, announced Archakas and Employees Welfare Fund. Konda Surekha explained that the government had made a significant decision benefiting these vital members of the temple community. She confirmed that approximately 13,700 priests and other staff working in temples up to the Assistant Commissioner level under the Endowments Department would receive assistance through this new welfare trust. The fund would provide posthumous or retirement gratuity to Archakas and other employees. Importantly, gratuity will now be paid posthumously to priests under the Dhoopa Deepa Naivedyam scheme. Furthermore, ex gratia payments upon death and funeral expenses would also be covered by this fund. Beyond these provisions, the fund will offer various forms of financial assistance, including medical reimbursement, support for marriage ceremonies, Upanayana Sanskaram, house construction, purchase and repair, education, and aid for disabled employees unable to perform their duties.
Hans India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Minister's welfare balm for Archakas across TG
Hyderabad: Endowment Minister Konda Surekha has fulfilled a long-standing aspiration of Archakas (temple priests) and employees across Telangana by establishing a dedicated welfare fund. This initiative aims to provide crucial support to those who have diligently served in temples for extended periods. On Monday, Endowment Minister Konda Surekha, joined by Endowment Principal Secretary Shailaja Ramaiyar, Director Venkata Rao, and other officials, unveiled the poster for the Archakas and Employees Welfare Fund. Konda Surekha explained that the government had made a significant decision benefiting these vital members of the temple community. She confirmed that approximately 13,700 priests and other staff working in temples up to the Assistant Commissioner level under the Endowments Department would receive assistance through this new welfare trust. The fund will provide posthumous or retirement gratuity to Archakas and other employees. Importantly, gratuity will now be paid posthumously to priests under the Dhoopa Deepa Naivedyam scheme. Furthermore, ex gratia payments upon death and funeral expenses will also be covered by this fund. Beyond these provisions, the fund will offer various forms of financial assistance, including medical reimbursement, support for marriage ceremonies, Upanayana Sanskaram, house construction, purchase and repair, education, and aid for disabled employees unable to perform their duties.
