Free bicycles for priests

Priests performing pujas in temples under the oru kaala puja (one puja a day) scheme will soon get free bicycles.

The tender for procuring the bicycles has been finalised. Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR & CE) Department officials say 10,000 bicycles will be purchased at a cost of Rs.3 crore.

“The objective of the scheme is to help the priests who are visiting faraway places everyday to perform pujas, as they are not getting any great remuneration for their services,” says a senior HR & CE official.

The

oru kaala puja scheme covers 11,000 temples. As per the scheme if the villagers come forward to contribute Rs.2,500, the HR & CE Department will contribute Rs.22,500.

The amount will be deposited in the bank and the interest of Rs.250 will go to the priests on a quarterly basis.

“Now we have decided to introduce electronic clearance system (ECS) and the amount will reach the bank account of the priests,” the official says.