Atishi, the Chief Minister of Delhi, recently visited a gurudwara in Karol Bagh to register granthis for the 'Pujari-Granthi Samman Yojana' announced by her party. The scheme promises a monthly honorarium of Rs 18,000 to Hindu temple priests and granthis. Despite protests from the BJP, Kejriwal launched the scheme at a temple near Kashmiri Gate ISBT. He also announced plans to register more priests and granthis from other temples and gurdwaras across the city.
Delhi Government's 'Pujari-Granthi Samman Yojana': Background and Details
The Delhi government recently introduced the 'Pujari-Granthi Samman Yojana,' a scheme aimed at providing financial assistance to Hindu temple priests and Sikh granthis. This initiative is part of the Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) broader welfare program and has garnered significant attention.
Background:
The concept of providing honorariums to religious personnel is not new in India. In various states, governments have introduced similar schemes to recognize the contributions of priests and granthis to society. However, the Delhi government's scheme is notable for its scale and the amount of financial support it offers.
Scheme Details:
The 'Pujari-Granthi Samman Yojana' provides a monthly honorarium of Rs 18,000 to eligible priests and granthis. To qualify, individuals must meet certain criteria, including:
Launch and Implementation:
The scheme was officially launched by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal at a temple near Kashmiri Gate ISBT. Chief Minister Kejriwal and Social Welfare Minister Rajendra Pal Gautam have been instrumental in promoting the initiative.
Following its launch, the Delhi government has begun the process of registering priests and granthis. A registration drive is underway across the city, with gurdwaras also being included in the scheme.
Controversy and Opposition:
The scheme has faced some criticism from the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The BJP has argued that the honorarium should not be limited to priests and granthis and should be extended to other religious leaders as well. However, the Delhi government has maintained that the scheme is intended specifically for temple priests and granthis.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers
Q1. Who is eligible for the 'Pujari-Granthi Samman Yojana'? A1. Hindu temple priests and Sikh granthis who meet the eligibility criteria.
Q2. How much is the monthly honorarium? A2. Rs 18,000
Q3. How do I register for the scheme? A3. Registration is ongoing across Delhi. Contact your local temple or gurdwara for more information.
Q4. Is the scheme open to all religions? A4. No, the scheme is currently limited to Hindu temple priests and Sikh granthis.
Q5. Is the scheme similar to the Central government's 'Priests and Granthis Welfare Scheme'? A5. Yes, both schemes provide financial assistance to religious personnel. However, the Delhi government's scheme offers a higher monthly honorarium.
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Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has strongly criticized Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, accusing him of protecting those involved in "vote chori" (vote stealing) and undermining democracy. He cited recent instances of voter deletions in Karnataka's Aland and fraudulent additions in Maharashtra's Rajura as evidence of systematic targeting of Congress voters. Speaking at a press conference, Gandhi urged for a fair and transparent election process to uphold the principles of democracy.
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