Temple priests get salary hike

Muzrai Minister Kota Srinivasa Poojary on Wednesday said the government has decided to increase the monthly emoluments being paid to priests of all Muzrai temples by a flat Rs 2,000.

Besides, it has been decided to increase the tastik amount (annual maintenance grants) being given to C grade Muzrai temples from Rs 12,000 to Rs 24,000. Of the 34,000 Muzrai temples, about 28,000 are C grade temples. The additional burden on the government due to this move is about Rs 40 crore per annum.

A government order in this regard will be issued soon, he told reporters.
There is no fixed salary for the priests. Emoluments are being paid depending on the income of the respective temple. While those working in A grade temples (which have a good income) are getting about Rs 8,000 per month, those in C grade temples are
getting a meagre Rs 500 per month.

Orphanages at temples

Besides, the minister said, the government has decided to start old age homes, orphanages, special schools for differently abled children and cow protection centres at select Muzrai temples in the State.

Speaking to reporters, he said besides conducting religious activities, temples need to work for the welfare of society.

Hence, the decision was taken in a recently held meeting of Karnataka Dharmika Parishat, he added.

To begin with, an exclusive orphanage for women and men will be opened at Kolluru Mukambika temple and Kukke Subramanya temple respectively.

A special school will be opened at Ganagapura Dattatreya temple in Gulbarga district, while old age homes will be started at Male Mahadeshwara temple at M M Hills and Renukadevi Yellamma temple at Savadatti. Cow protection centres will be opened at temples which have more than five acres of land. About 25 such temples have been identified, he said.

The government has also decided to bring all B grade temples under the temple tourism project. The department has released Rs one crore to each of these temples for infrastructure development, the minister said.