AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal
Credit: PTI File Photo
New Delhi: Seeking to woo Hindu and Sikh priests ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections, AAP on Monday promised a ‘Pujari Granthi Samman Yojana’ that entails a monthly allowance of Rs 18,000 for Hindu temple priests and ‘granthis’ of gurdwaras if it is re-elected.
AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal told a press conference that ‘pujaris’ and ‘granthis’ are an important part of the society but they are often a neglected section. This scheme is a tribute to their spiritual contribution to the society and their efforts to preserve our cultural heritage, he said.
“They are always with us in times of our happiness and sorrow. But we have not given them their due. 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,” he said.
Kejriwal said that registration for the scheme will start from Tuesday, with the AAP convener himself going to the Hanuman Temple in Connaught Place and registering the ‘pujaris’ there for the scheme.
He said ministers, MLAs, candidates, and party workers will visit temples and gurudwaras across the capital for registering the priests for the scheme.
Amid complaints against registration for Mahila Samman Yojana and Sanjeevani Scheme announced by the AAP, Kejriwal asked BJP not to try and stop the registration.
“I want to tell BJP people, please don't try to stop this, it will be a big sin. Priests are the bridge between God and us. Curse will fall on you if you try to stop the registration,” he said.
States like West Bengal have schemes for providing salary for Hindu priests and Imams.