Historic Move After 40 Years: Kashi Vishwanath Priests Get State Employee Status

Varanasi (The Uttam Hindu): The 40-year long wait for the priests, archakas and employees of Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple is over. The historic Employee Service Manual was approved in the 108th meeting of the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust Council held on Thursday. After this decision, all the employees of the temple will now get the status of state employees, which will lead to a huge increase of almost three times in their salary.

In this meeting chaired by Divisional Commissioner S. Rajalingam, nearly two dozen important proposals were approved, which has prepared a new framework for the development and management of the temple.

Divisional Commissioner S. Rajlingam said that after the implementation of the new rules, there will be a big change in the standard of living of the temple priests and employees. He said, "Till now the priests used to get about 30 thousand rupees per month, which will now increase to 80 to 90 thousand rupees." Along with salary, now the employees will also get the benefit of promotion, leave, allowances and other facilities like state employees. Grades and matrices will be fixed in four categories for appointment.

Let us tell you that the Uttar Pradesh government had acquired the Shri Kashi Vishwanath temple in 1983, but since then till today no permanent service rules could be made for the employees.

These big decisions were also approved

Corridor will be built till Vishalakshi Mata Temple: For the convenience of the devotees, a new corridor will now be built from Kashi Vishwanath Dham to Vishalakshi Mata Temple, for which an agreement has been reached to purchase the building.

Establishment of Digital Museum: A state-of-the-art digital museum will be established at Kashi Vishwanath Dham, which will introduce devotees to the history and importance of the temple through digital medium.

Honorarium of Vikas Parishad employees increased by 30%: Honorarium of Temple Area Vikas Parishad employees has been increased by 30 percent.

Land for Vedic Education Institute: The land belonging to the temple trust located in Mirzapur will be given to the state government for setting up an institute of Vedic education and training.

Sangam Tirtha Water Exchange Scheme: To connect all the Jyotirlingas with each other, 'Sangam Tirtha Water Exchange Scheme' was also approved.

Security and Facility: Control room and cameras will be upgraded for the security of the Dham and Dandi Sanyasis will be given prasad food and dakshina of Rs 101 daily.