Delhi Govt launches 'Pujari Granthi Samman' scheme, BJP terms it "appeasement politics"
Dec 31, 2024
New Delhi [India], December 31 : The Delhi Government on Tuesday announced the official launch of the registration process for the 'Pujari Granthi Samman' scheme, aimed at financially supporting Gurudwara priests.
An announcement regarding the launch of the scheme was made by former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal on Monday, December 30.
The scheme offers a monthly grant of Rs 18,000 to every temple and Gurudwara priest in Delhi.
"Today, the scheme was launched by Arvind Kejriwal at the Hanuman temple in Connaught Place. The registration process for the scheme also began today at Sant Sujan Singh ji Maharaj's Gurdwara," Delhi Chief Minister Atishi told reporters.
She further said the importance of the initiative, noting that the Granthis (Gurudwara priests) had expressed appreciation for the scheme, calling it a major step forward.
"The Granthis said that this is probably the first government after Maharaja Ranjit Singh's government that is worried for the Granthis," Atishi added, highlighting the historic nature of this move.
The scheme aims to provide financial security and recognition to religious leaders who serve in temples and Gurudwaras.
"When the Arvind Kejriwal government was formed in Delhi, every temple and Gurudwara priest was promised Rs 18,000 under this scheme," Atishi said.
Meanwhile, BJP Lok Sabha MP Bansuri Swaraj criticized former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal over the 'Pujari Granthi Samman Yojana'.
She alleged that the scheme is intended to appease voters ahead of the upcoming assembly elections in Delhi.
Addressing a press conference, Swaraj said that Kejriwal had introduced a new kind of appeasement politics, calling it 'Arvind's appeasement.'
She further urged the Delhi government to implement the scheme immediately and not wait for the elections to conclude.
"We heard a lot about election slogans but Arvind Kejriwal has brought a new wind of election gimmicks... Kejriwal's government has not paid salaries to Imams and Maulvis for 17 months... He did not solve the problems of Imams and Maulvis and started a new type of appeasement politics in which he said that he would pay salaries to priests and granthis. There is no election model code of conduct now, so why are you waiting for the elections? For one decade they did not respect 'Pujaris,' religious places, or 'Granthis,' and now when the election is closer, they are trying to appease them for votes," she said.
