Source: The Hindu
HYDERABAD, INDIA, November 27, 2001: The Andhra Pradesh State Endowments Minister, Mr D. Sivarama Raju, has said that there is “no point in temple priests still continuing their agitation with the closure of temples on Karthika Purnima day” on November 30 after regular worship, when their demands have already been met by the Government. Referring to the retirement age, a major demand, Mr Raju said here on Tuesday that an order had just been issued clarifying the Government stand on this issue. The order fixed December 8, 2000, as the cutoff date for implementing the retirement age at 58 years. Those priests who were appointed before this date, would enjoy the retirement at 65 years and those appointed after this date, 58 years. The Minister hoped that more and more people from all classes and castes would come forward to take up priest jobs as the Government had announced attractive salaries. If there was good response, the Government would establish training schools next to more temples, including Tirumala, Dwaraka and Keesara temples.