Hyderabad: Endowment Minister Konda Surekha has launched a new welfare fund for temple priests and employees in Telangana, fulfilling a long-awaited need. This fund is designed to support those who have served in temples for many years.
On Monday, Konda Surekha unveiled the Archakas and Employees Welfare Fund poster alongside Endowment Principal Secretary Shailaja Ramaiyar, Director Venkata Rao, and other officials. She announced that this initiative will benefit around 13,700 priests and staff working in temples across the state, up to the Assistant Commissioner level.
The fund will offer gratuity benefits to priests and employees after retirement or death. Priests under the Dhoopa Deepa Naivedyam scheme will also receive posthumous gratuity. Additionally, the fund will cover ex gratia payments and funeral costs. It will provide various financial aids, including medical reimbursements, marriage and Upanayana Sanskaram support, house-related expenses, educational aid, and assistance for disabled employees unable to work.
