Kejriwal Initiates Pujari Granthi Samman Yojana

Arvind Kejriwal, leader of AAP, launched the Pujari Granthi Samman Yojana, promising a monthly honorarium for Hindu temple priests and Gurudwara granthis in Delhi. Announcing this ahead of the assembly polls, the move faces opposition, but Kejriwal continues registrations and raises political interest.

On Tuesday, Delhi's AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal unveiled the Pujari Granthi Samman Yojana at the Marghat Wale Baba temple, Kashmiri Gate ISBT. The initiative, launched ahead of February's assembly elections, proposes a monthly ₹18,000 honorarium for temple priests and Gurudwara granthis if AAP returns to power.

Kejriwal marked the occasion by celebrating the birthday of the temple's Mahant. In a social media post, he highlighted efforts to obstruct the registration process, pointing fingers at the BJP but remained firm in his resolve to support religious leaders.

The scheme's announcement stirred political debate in Delhi. As Arvind Kejriwal visited Prachin Hanuman Mandir in Connaught Place, a faction of priests protested the delayed honorarium, demanding timely implementation. Kejriwal, accompanied by his wife Sunita, promised to swiftly execute the scheme.

(With inputs from agencies.)