Rajahmundry: The State Archaka Samakhya (SAS) has decided to lay siege to the State Endowments Commissionerate on April 26.

Addressing a press conference here on Sunday, secretary of Samakhaya K. V. S. R. N. Acharyulu said that they have decided to name the siege as `Sarpa Digbandhanam'.

He said that Archaka Swamis from different parts of the State are going to gather in large number to pressurise the Government to amend 30/87 Act.

The Act is against `Aagamasastra', he alleged. Thousands of temple lands are being encroached in the State due to the failure of the Government in protecting temple lands, he alleged.

Bureaucracy criticised

Acharyulu alleged that the bureaucracy is creating hurdles in amending the Act. He condemned the Government's decision to takeover those temples, which are earning a revenue of less than Rs. 3 lakhs per year.

He recalled that out of the 34,000 temples in the State, daily rituals like dhoopa, deepa and naivedyam are being done in just 2,000 temples. He alleged that the Endowments department is creating such a situation that the very existence of Hindu temples in the State is going to be paralysed.

Meagre salaries

Mr. Acharyulu said that Archaka Swamis are getting a meagre salary of Rs. 3,000 per month.

He said that the Endowments department, which has to pay Rs. 2,000 for `Paditharam' is only giving Rs.500 per month.

He said that the department has failed to implement the directions of the Supreme Court in taking up welfare activities of Archakas for which the Government has mobilised Rs.14-crore fund.

He also alleged that the Government has failed to take up Aagama schools.

The SAS is going to submit its 15 demands to the Government during the agitational programme.

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