Archakas ‘beg’ to protest, seek support

Visakhapatnam: A large number of Archakas (temple priests) demanding the government for implementation of Supreme Court orders to pay salaries as per the Pay Revision Committee scales, on Monday conducted "begging protest" in the city.

Visakhapatnam District (North Andhra) Archaka Sangham, demanding the implementation of PRC scales are agitating for the last three months. As there is no response from the government, large number of archakas moved into the public and explained about the government's stepmotherly treatment.

Supporting their demand the general public raised their voice and shouted slogans against the government. The agitation was led by VDAS President Rejeti Adiseshu and general secretary I. Srinivasa Deekshitulu and Employees’ Union president G Krishnamacharyulu and general secretary K. Ramachandra Rao.

The archakas also demanded the government for implementation of earlier orders on hereditary priesthood, issue of health cards and extension of Dhoopa Deepa Naivedya Scheme to more temples and hike of the grant to Rs 10,000. On the occasion, VDSA president Adiseshu said that they would stop all the paid services in the temples from June 30 onwards, if the government still does not respond to the demands.