Hyderabad: Mecca Masjid staff not paid salary for over 1 year

Charminar: More than 100 employees of the historic Mecca Masjid are yet to receive their first salary following the lockdown. The Minority Welfare department is yet to take a call on the issue, even as the staff is left in the lurch, even as Ramzan nears.

The staff, including the Imams and Muazzins, allege that despite tall claims of the State government was providing ample funds, the salaries remain irregular.

According to the staff, around 140 working in two shifts as well as the Imams and Muazzins have not received their salaries. "For last 10 months the staff has not been paid. Even after the lockdown, the staff returned to work, but we did not receive salaries and survived without any pay," said a staff member on condition of anonymity.

"The government also claims to pay incentives each month, but the staff has not received incentives. At least now the government must pay as Ramzan is near," said another staffer member.

Dr Imam Umer Ahmed Ilyasi, Chief Imam, All-India Imam Organisation (AIMO), visited Mecca Masjid and other mosques. He raised the issue of the masjid staff and religious heads not receiving salaries.

Amounts should be cleared before Ramzan.

MBT spokesperson Amjedullah Khan has raised the issue of irregular salaries to the masjid staff. It is also said other mosques' Imams and Muazzins have not received their pay.

The government must clear all pending salaries before Ramzan," he said.

A high official of the department acknowledged the fact that the salaries are being paid to the staff, but irregularly, the reason being cited is lack of budget.

"The department has already represented to government for provision of incentives. As soon as the amount is released, the staff will be paid," he said.