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Hans India
21-06-2025
- General
- Hans India
Welfare Fund turns a boon for archakas, temple staff in state
As many as 18 Archakas and temple employees got over Rs 32 lakh under gratuity and medical benefits, thanks to the Archaka and Employees Welfare Fund started by the Endowments Department recently. Some of the employees got a benefit ranging from Rs 1 lakh to over Rs 6.5 lakh. The Archakas hailed the Endowments Minister Konda Surekha, stating that she had fulfilled the desires of priests and employees who have been working in the Endowment Department over the years. A special fund was set up for the welfare of priests and employees who were providing services in all temples for a long time. Endowment Minister Konda Surekha, Endowment Director Venkata Rao and other officials handed over the Archaka and Employment Welfare Fund cheques. Gratuity and medical assistance were provided to 18 employees through the Archaka Welfare Fund Trust. Konda Surekha handed over the cheque of Rs 32 lakh to the employees. Copies of the order were given to them as a farewell. Later, the minister felicitated the retired employees. Surekha explained that her government was committed to the welfare of Archakas and employees. She said that about 13,700 Archakas and other employees working in temples up to the level of Assistant Commissioner under the Endowment Department would benefit through this welfare trust. She said that posthumous or retirement gratuity would be given to priests and other employees. She said that posthumous gratuity would be given to the 'Dhoopa Deepa Naivedyam' priests. She said that this fund would be used to pay ex-gratia paid posthumously and for the expenses of last rites. Under this fund, employees will be provided with medical reimbursement, marriage scheme, upanayana scheme, house construction, purchase and repair scheme, education scheme, financial assistance scheme for disabled employees who cannot perform their duties. 'We are indebted to Endowment Department Minister Surekhamma. Thank you Konda Surekha for resolving the issue which has been pending for years. The minister has helped us immensely. It is heartening to note that the posthumous or retirement gratuity scheme for regular priests and other employees has been increased from Rs 4 lakh lakh to Rs 8 lakh by the Welfare Board on May 28,' said an Archaka.
The Hindu
04-06-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Give tender contracts to SCs, demands Vidasam
Vistruta Dalit Sanghams (VIDASAM) State convener Busi Venkata Rao has demanded that the tenders for supply of material for residential schools, hostels, rural water supply, panchayat raj and others being executed with the SC Sub-Plans funds be given to the SCs only. Addressing the media on Tuesday, Mr. Venkata Rao said the government had allocated ₹20,281 crore for SC Sub-Plan, and of this, ₹9,000 crore has been allocated to social security pensions and other schemes. The remaining ₹11,000 crore has been allocated to various projects intended to benefit SCs, he said, adding that the works of these projects should be given to SCs only. Works like laying of roads, water tanks, water pipelines and electricity lines should be given to SCs, he demanded. He said the government spends ₹150 crore on the supply of various commodities such as vegetables, eggs, pulses and others for providing meals to more than 1.04 lakh students in 750 social welfare hostels and 50 residential schools in the State, but not a single contract was given to the SCs.
Hans India
04-06-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Dalit leaders demand allotment of projects to their community alone
Visakhapatnam: Tenders for the supply of goods required for agriculture, rural development, Panchayat Raj, drinking water supply, power projects, hostels and residential schools, funded by the SC sub-plan in the state budget, should be allocated to Dalits alone, demanded Visthrutha Dalita Sanghala Aikya Vedika state convener Boosi Venkata Rao. Speaking at a media conference held at Dr BR Ambedkar Bhavan here on Tuesday, Venkata Rao mentioned that the government allocated Rs 20,281 crore for the SC sub-plan in the 25-26 budget. Of this, Rs 1,289 crore for the agriculture department, Rs 1,144 crore for the development of rural Dalits, Rs 1,257 crore for the construction of houses for SCs, Rs 1,118 crore for ration distribution, Rs 1,500 crore for the health of Dalits, Rs 562 crore for drinking water, Rs 372 crore for Anganwadis in Dalit villages, and Rs 1,289 crore for food preparation in hostels and residential schools. The Dalit leaders alleged that although crores of rupees were allotted for the sub-plan, none of the projects were awarded to Dalits. They demanded that this trend should change as all the related projects should be given to the Dalits alone. The government will pay Rs 150 crore to contractors for supplying food items to 1,04,000 students in 750 Social Welfare Hostels and 50 residential schools across the state, Venkata Rao mentioned that not a single supplier belongs to Dalit community. He demanded that these tenders should be allocated only to the Dalit unemployed youth.
