Nayi Brahmins stage protest at Durga temple

Vijayawada: The Nayi Brahmins staged a dharna at Sri Kanaka Durga temple here on Friday demanding that the government fix Rs 15,000 as their minimum salary.

They boycotted duties as part of state-wide call given by Andhra Pradesh Nayi Brahmins Sangham and raised slogans against government demanding to regularise their service and provide provident fund and medical benefits on par with other government employees.

They said they were not getting salary even on par with the daily wage labourers. The agitators said that they had already informed to the government over the demands some days back, but no action has been taken so far.

YSRCP leaders Velampalli Srinivas, Malladi Vishnu and Vangaveeti Radha Krishna called on the leaders of Nayi Brahmins and extended their support to them. They demanded that the government extend all the benefits to them on par with regular employees.

AP Nayi Brahmins Sangham state president S Yanadaiah said the government was getting Rs 8 crore income annually from their services but the barbers were getting low salaries. He said they would intensify their agitation, if the government neglects their pending demands.

The strike of Nayi Brahmins caused inconvenience to devotees at Durga ghat on Friday as the temple officials could not make alternative arrangements. The temple administration failed to make alternative facilities for the devotees properly, said Ramaiah, a devotee of West Godavari district. Several leaders of Nayi Brahmins were also present.