Temple priests (archakas) on Wednesday continued their protest at the Deputy Commissioner, Endowments, office at Turner’s Choultry, on a charter of long-pending demands, including implementation of the Supreme Court judgment on Pay Revision Commission scales forming a fund. The three-day protest began on Tuesday.
Agitating under the banner of Visakhapatnam District (North Andhra) Archaka Sangham, they were also demanding recognition of priests and temple staff as government employees and payment of salaries through Treasury and in temples under “6B” cageogry with sufficient revenue as per the 2010 PRC and a minimum pay of ₹10,000 to those under “6C” irrespective of revenue. The agitation was led by sangham president Rejeti Adiseshu and general secretary I. Srinivasa Deekshitulu and Employees’ Union president GAVLN Krishnamacharyulu and general secretary K. Ramachandra Rao. Other demands include implementation of the GO on hereditary priesthood, issue of health cards and extension of “Dhoopa Deepa Naivedya Scheme” to more temples and increasing the grant to ₹10,000. The demonstrations before the Deputy Commissioner’s office will continue on Thursday.
