Trained non-Brahmin archakas demand stipend of ₹15,000

Trained non-Brahmin archakas have urged the State government to appoint 383 persons, who have passed out of archaka training schools at temples under the purview of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments Department.

V. Vijayakumar of Rasipuram said a small group of former students from Tiruvannamalai, who were fed up with waiting for jobs, wanted to place a copy of the petition at the Samadhi of former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi and chant Thevaram and Thiruvasagam at the spot. They were however, denied permission. The trained archakas also wanted a stipend of ₹15,000 per person so that they can lead decent lives.

V. Ranganathan, president of the Archakar Payirchi Petra Maanavargal Sangam, Tamil Nadu, said that while they welcomed the announcement of stipend of ₹10,000 for the next batch of students who would train at the archaka schools, he urged the government to provide compensation to the 383 persons who have remained unemployed for 18 years now.

He said the government had been citing a Supreme Court case filed by priests from Srirangam and an association of the Adhi Sivachariars. He wanted the case to be expedited.