Kadapa, July 6, 2013: Temple archakas took out a rally here on Friday demanding minimum wages, disbursal of salaries through the treasury, issue of identity cards and implementation of welfare schemes through the Archaka Welfare Fund.

Led by Kadapa District Archaka Samkhya president I. Satyanarayana Sarma and general secretary D. Sateesh Kumar Sarma, the archakas demonstrated at the office of the Assistant Commissioner of Endowments seeking resolution of a 21-point charter of demands.

They demanded payment of minimum wages to archakas as recommended by Dharma Prachara Cell, handing over of temples with an annual income of less than Rs. 2 lakhs to archakas and fixing of cadre strength basing on the temple revenue as per G.O. 261.

They also wanted incorporation of the names of archakas as shareholders in the registers as stipulated in Section 43 of the Endowments Act and rectification of anomalies in the registers. Assistant archakas should be appointed to assist the main archakas and additional pay must be given to them during Brahmotsavams and special rituals.

Land issue

They also wanted passbooks for lands in their possession and permission to set up a rest house for archakas on the temple premises. In accordance with the Supreme Court orders, service of archakas should be recognised and made hereditary. They wanted regular release of funds for deepam, lighting incense sticks and naivedyam.

A memorandum addressed to the Commissioner of Endowments was submitted to the assistant commissioner G. Mallikarjuna Prasad.

He assured to apprise higher-ups.

Samakhya honorary president V. Madhavacharyulu, treasurer E. Mrutyunjaya Kumar Sarma and member I. Prasada Sarma also participated.

Rs. 75 crore welfare fund sought

Kurnool Special Correspondent adds: Temple priests led By Kurnool District Archaka Samakhya, staged a protest and submitted a memorandum to the Assistant Commissioner of Endowments which was addressed to the government.

The charter of demands include creation of welfare fund of Rs. 75 crore in line with the Supreme Court directive to take up support activities, nominal pension provision for retired priests, promotion facilities, house sites and housing colony for exclusively for priests, withdrawal of proposal to sell endowment land among other things.

Source: The Hindu, DT. July 6, 2013.