Andhra Pradesh: Rs 5,000 cash relief for priests

VIJAYAWADA: The Andhra Pradesh government will give Rs 5,000 each to priests in temples in the state under the Dhoopa-Deepa-Naivedyam scheme. The decision was taken in the wake of closure of temples following the Covid-19 outbreak.
The Andhra Pradesh Archaka Samakya has requested the government to assist priests whose incomes have been hit following restrictions on the entry of devotees into temples since March 20.Despite the restrictions, some priests have have continued performing rituals.
After examining the issue, chief minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy directed the endowments department to pay Rs 5,000 per month to ‘archakas’ in temples. “We are committed to the welfare of all classes. Around 2,500 priests across the state will benefit from this move. We will pay this amount from the Archaka Welfare Fund,” endowments minister Vellampalli Srinivas said.