Archakas’ federation demands increase in thasthik in Karnataka

Even this revised amount would still remain below the minimum wages fixed by the government, said the federation in a press conference here on Monday, seeking a minimum monthly grant of ₹5,000 towards puja materials. Other employees serving in the temples should be paid a minimum monthly salary of ₹5,000, the federation said.

“In temples across the State, more than 2 lakh individuals render continuous service without any holidays. Along with the priests who perform daily worship, there are numerous assistants and supporting staff. In addition, many families depend on small shops and related activities around temples for their livelihood,” said federation’s president K.E. Radhakrishna and chief general secretary K.S.N. Dixit.

They said while the State government has implemented several welfare schemes, nearly 90% of the Muzrai temples located in rural areas, categorised under ‘C’ Grade, have not received adequate attention.

“It is commendable that in recent years, over 15,000 properties that were encroached have been restored to temples. However, in Bengaluru and several other urban and rural areas across the State, tens of thousands of acres of land and valuable properties remain under illegal encroachment. Therefore, a high-powered Special Task Force should be constituted within a fixed timeframe to reclaim these assets. If these properties are consolidated, many temples can become self-reliant,” the federation demanded.