Kejriwal promises Rs 18,000 a month for priests, granthis

AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal on Monday announced that his party would launch a 'Pujari Granthi Samman Yojana' if it gets re-elected in Delhi, promising a monthly allowance of Rs 18,000 for Hindu temple priests and granthis of gurdwaras.

“Today I am making an important announcement regarding a scheme. The name of the scheme is Pujari Granthi Samman Yojana. Under this, there is a provision to give an honorarium to the priests of temples and the 'granthis' of gurdwaras. They will be given an honorarium of Rs 18,000 per month," the former Delhi CM said.

The announcement comes ahead of the Delhi Assembly election, with AAP seeking to retain power for a fourth consecutive term.

"Pujaris and granthis are an important part of our society, but they are often a neglected lot. For the first time in the country, we are introducing a scheme to support them, under which they will receive a monthly allowance of Rs 18,000," Kejriwal said, adding that registration for the scheme would start on Tuesday.

He said he would visit the Hanuman temple in Connaught Place on Tuesday to oversee the registration process for priests there.