Mohan Kuthar

Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (EP)

Mangaluru, Feb 23: “The facilities that are available to temple priests will be available to temple assistants in the future like in Kerala. This demand was realised by the initiative of Speaker Khader during the Assembly session on February 20. It is an honour to the people of Tulunadu,” said Dinesh Kumpala, district Congress spokesperson.

He was speaking in a news conference held at the party's Thokkottu block office.

“The government has amended certain issues in the temples. The position, respect and honorarium will be made available to temple assistants as well. They have been serving in the temples without temple bangles and clothes. The then MLA U T Khader had urged the government to pay them the facilities paid to the temple priests. The religious endowment minister Ramalinga Reddy has approved the proposal to release up to Rs 1 crore towards expenses previously restricted to Rs 25 lacs in 'A' grade temples and opportunity for the deputy commissioners to spend between Rs 1 crore to Rs 5 crore to develop temples. The facility will be available to 'C' grade temples also. Scholarships between Rs 5,000 and Rs 50,000 will be paid to the children of priests as scholarships. A position for a member of Vishwakarma Samaj that builds idols is reserved in all the administrative committees of the religious endowment. The government will provide medical insurance to priests and temple assistants. BJP is trying to stamp Congress as anti-Hindu though it did nothing for the religion for 10 years. RSS leader Kalladka Bhat had criticised temple assistants giving Prasada to U T Khader in the temple. Providing respect to those who work in the temples is respecting Hindu communities," he said.

DCC member Suresh Bhatnagar, block vice-president Ramesh Shetty Boliar and block Intec president Vishal Kolya were present.