Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu took a key decision towards the implementation of another promise in the manifesto. Conducting a review meeting with the officials of the Endowment Department, he has decided to increase the salary of the priests from Rs.10,000 to Rs 15,000. 1683 people will be benefited by this decision, with an additional burden of Rs 10 crore on the government.
It was also decided to increase the amount being given to temples towards Dhoopa, Naivaidhyams from Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000, which will have an additional burden of Rs 32 crore on the government. The Chief Minister also announced payment of Rs 3,000 stipend to unemployed Vaidic students.
Naidu said that Nayi Brahmins will get a minimum salary of Rs 25,000. Responding to the representation from Arya Vaishya Sanghams, Chandrababu decided to observe the day of self-dedication of Goddess Vasavi Kanyaka Parameswari `Atmarpana’, in terms of Endowment department.
The Chief Minister has decided to give opportunity to two more persons in temple trust boards. Temples with more than Rs 20 crore income will have 15 members in their Trust Boards. Now, the number will be increased to 17. Chandrababu promised during the election that he will ensure that one Brahmin and one Nai Brahmin will be in the Trust Board. To that extent, the number of members will be increased and they will be provided an opportunity.
CM Chandrababu made it clear that spirituality should flow in temples and there should be no place for mischief. Forced religious conversions should stop. He advised to give utmost priority to the sentiments of the devotees and the rules of Agama Shastra.
The CM directed the officials to take steps to ensure cleanliness, quality of prasadam and peaceful atmosphere in the temples along with setting up a committee to protect the property of the temples. He cautioned that forceful conversions should be prevented through strong measures. Similarly, he made it clear that non-believers should not be employed in temples.
