HC to govt: Give Rs 1,000 Covid aid to temple. Justice M M Sundresh and Justice R Hemalatha passed the order on a public interest writ petition filed by R R Gopaljee.

[8/31, 08:24] Sekarreporter 1: HC to govt: Give Rs 1,000 Covid aid to temple workers – http://toi.in/JRslCZ58/a31gj

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[8/31, 08:24] Sekarreporter 1: CITY
HC to govt: Give Rs 1,000 Covid aid to temple workers
TNN | Aug 30, 2020, 12:20 IST
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CHENNAI: The Madras high court directed the Tamil Nadu government to ensure that 6,624 people working in temples, closed due to the lockdown, are provided with the cash assistance extended to other similarly placed workers, including priests.
A division bench of Justice M M Sundresh and Justice R Hemalatha passed the order on a public interest writ petition filed by R R Gopaljee.
The petitioner wanted the court to direct the state government to include all those dependent on temples under the control of the Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments department in the list of beneficiaries eligible for Covid-19 assistance.
“The state must make appropriate arrangements to provide financial assistance to all skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled individuals without limitation but including archakas, battacharyas, pujaris, adyapakas, vedaparayanikas, othuvars, musicians, and torch-bearers who work for the temples under the control of HR&CE department,” the petitioner said.
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Responding to the plea, the state submitted that scores of poojaris would come under the village temples poosaries welfare board and not under the supervision of Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments department.

“For them, ex gratia payment has already been given. Those who are getting regular salary are not in need of any assistance. Benefits have already been given to about 12,041 persons working in the closed temples for the period from May 15 to June 30 in continuation of the earlier decision made,” special government pleader G K Muthukumar said.
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The special government pleader further added that another government order was issued on August 6 providing relief of 1,000 each to 6,624 people employed with closed temples.
Recording the submission, the bench said, “Ee direct the authorities to ensure that 6,624 persons working in closed temples are given the benefit of 1,000 as stated in the proceedings dated August 6 within six weeks.”

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