VIJAYAWADA: The State government on Tuesday decided to hike the salaries of 1,683 Archakas working in different temples across the State to Rs 15,000 per month from Rs 10,000. The move will put an additional burden of Rs 10 crore per annum on the State exchequer.
The decision was taken during Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu’s review meeting with Endowments Minister Anam Ramnarayan Reddy and senior officials.
The government has also decided to increase financial assistance provided to small temples under the Dhoopa Deepa Naivedyam Scheme to Rs 10,000 per month from Rs 5,000. This will put an additional burden of Rs 32 crore.
An approval was given to provide Rs 3,000 monthly allowance to youth who have pursued Veda Vidya, but are unemployed. Naidu also announced Rs 25,000 minimum monthly salary for Nayee Brahmins (barbers working in temples).
It was decided that two more board members will be added to temple trusts. Temples with revenue of Rs 20 crore and more have 15 members on the trust board. Now, the number will be increased to 17. It was made clear that the trust board will have a Brahmin and a Nayee Brahmin as board members, as promised by the NDA in the run up to elections.
On the request of Arya Vysya community organisations, the Chief Minister directed the Endowments Department to recognise the day on which Vasavi Kanyaka Parmaeswari did Atmarapana and perform the associated rituals every year.
Cabinet sub-panel to be set up to promote religious tourism
Further, the Chief Minister advised the Endowments Department to complete the works taken up under CGF (Common Good Fund) and Srivani Trust during the previous government and also review the works which have not yet commenced. He was informed that a total of 243 works proposed under CGF have not started, while 1,797 proposed works under Srivani Trust are yet to be taken up.
Naidu announced that each temple will be provided Rs 10 lakh under the Srivani Trust and that more money will be provided, if needed, after completion of the review of works that are yet to commence. Officials were asked to submit proposals where temples need more than Rs 10 lakh.
The Chief Minister stressed the need for accountability for Srivani Trust Funds and directed officials to constitute a committee for protection of temples and their assets. Endowments Department officials were also instructed to revive Krishna and Godavari River Harathis. He asked them to implement an online system for all temples. Naidu emphasised the need to make temples a place for peace and harmony and opined that with strict regulations, proselytisation can be prevented. He remarked that sentiments of devotees are of utmost importance and non-Hindus should not work in temples. Pointing out that the State has vast potential for temple and religious tourism, he asked Endowments officials to formulate an action plan. It was decided that a cabinet sub-committee with ministers of Endowments, Forest, and Tourism Departments will be constituted to promote religious tourism.