Kejriwal promises ₹18,000 honorarium for temple, gurdwara priests if AAP is re-elected in Delhi

AAP promises ₹18,000 monthly for priests in Delhi if they win election, first of its kind in India.

Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal on Monday (December 30, 2024) announced that if the party wins the Delhi Assembly election due in February, they will give ₹18,000 per month to priests in temples and granthis of gurudwaras under the ‘Pujari Granthi Samman Yojana’.

Mr. Kejriwal made the poll promise at a press conference. He was flanked by Delhi Chief Minister Atishi and AAP leader Saurabh Bhardwaj.

“Around ₹18,000 will be given per month once our government is formed. This is happening for the first time in India. I hope BJP and Congress will do it in their own States,” said Mr. Kejriwal.

He added that the registration for the scheme would start from Tuesday (December 31, 2024).

“I will go to the Hanuman Mandir in Connaught Place and register the priests there. Our MLAs, candidates and workers will register priests in all temples and gurdwaras from tomorrow,” he said.

“I will request the BJP that, like you tried to stop Mahila Samman Yojana and Sanjeevani Yojana, please don’t try to stop this scheme for priests and granthis.”