Hyderabad: The Telangana Government has launched new initiatives to support Archakas (temple priests) and temple workers in rural areas, addressing issues that have been unresolved for over 17 years. CS Rangarajan, the convenor of the Temples Protection Movement and hereditary priest at Chilkur Balaji Temple, praised these efforts.
Across Telangana, priests and temple staff are pleased with the steps taken by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy to establish an Archaka Welfare Fund Trust. This trust has been awaited since the state split in 2014. Previously, a similar trust in undivided Andhra Pradesh was created in 1997 following a Supreme Court ruling, but its objectives were never fully realized. Endowments Minister Konda Surekha has now fulfilled the long-desired goal of setting up this fund, providing much-needed support to those serving in temples.
On Monday, Konda Surekha, alongside Endowment Principal Secretary Shailaja Ramaiyar, Director Venkata Rao, and other officials, announced the formation of the Archakas and Employees Welfare Fund. This fund is a major step by the government to benefit around 13,700 temple priests and staff, up to the Assistant Commissioner level, under the Endowments Department.
This new fund will offer gratuity payments to priests and other employees upon retirement or posthumously. Priests covered under the Dhoopa Deepa Naivedyam scheme will also receive posthumous gratuity.
Additionally, the fund will cover ex gratia payments for death and funeral costs. It will provide various financial aids, such as medical reimbursements, support for weddings, Upanayana Sanskaram, housing construction and repairs, education, and assistance for disabled employees unable to work.
