AAP promises Rs 18,000 monthly honorarium for priests, granthis
Ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections, AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Monday announced the launch of the ‘Pujari-Granthi Samman Yojana’. Under the scheme, temple priests and granthis of gurdwaras will get a monthly honorarium of Rs 18,000, if voted to power.
Announcing the scheme, Kejriwal said: “It is a token of respect for priests and granthis. They have preserved our values, rituals and cultural heritage. They have often done this while neglecting their own families. Sadly, we as a society have never acknowledged their contributions.”
Kejriwal said he would personally launch the initiative at Hanuman Temple at Connaught Place on Tuesday.
The former Delhi CM accused the BJP of derailing the plan of registration for women and elderly schemes, describing it as a ‘great sin’. “I request the BJP not to create obstacles for this scheme for priests and granthis. Harassing or opposing this initiative would be a grave sin,” he said.
Senior AAP leader and former Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia praised the initiative on X, saying: “When the AAP government is formed, priests of temples and granthis of gurdwaras will be given an honorarium of Rs 18,000 per month. Respect for the culture and religious institutions of Delhi has always been Arvind Kejriwal's priority.”
Imams protest over delay in salaries
Meanwhile, imams from the All-India Imam Association (AIIA) staged a protest outside the residence of Kejriwal over a delay in their salaries from the last 17 months.
AIIA chief Sajid Rashidi urged the Delhi government to release payment to the Waqf Board so they it release the pending salaries of imams, who lead the prayers in mosques.
Rashidi demanded the release of payment before the Delhi Assembly elections in February 2025.
Rashidi said he would meet Kejriwal and raise the issue with him. He had already apprised Delhi CM Atishi, Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena and other officers of the delay in the salary.
“If they do not give us our answers now, we will sit on a protest here and not get up till we get our salaries,” he said.
“We have come here with a demand to release our salary pending for the past 17 months. Around 250 imams are troubled due to this. Their salary is only Rs 18,000 per month,” said Rashidi.
