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Latest controversy on AAP schemes

- Alok KN Mishra

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) chief Arvind Kejriwal announced on Monday that his government will pay ₹18,000 a month to Hindu and Sikh priests if elected back to power, escalating a raging political battle over the flurry of sops promised by his party ahead of assembly polls next year.

Kejriwal's pledge of a hefty monthly honorarium - called the Pujari, Granthi Samman Yojana - is the latest in a string of similar announcements made by the AAP, including a monthly allowance of ₹2,100 for women and free health care in all hospitals for senior citizens. The promises were criticised by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) as irresponsible and not implementable.

"Temple priests and gurdwara granthis make important contributions to society but no government or party has paid any attention to them," Kejriwal said during a press conference at the AAP headquarters, adding that these priests kept culture alive. "I will register the beneficiaries at the Hanuman Mandir. Later, our party's MLAs, candidates and workers will start registering pujaris and granthis in all temples and gurdwaras in Delhi."

The state government pays 18,000 a month to imams, which was increased from 10,000 to 18,000 in 2019. Imams have been getting an allowance since 1970, the amount for which has increased over the years, with allegations that they payments have been irregular.

It is unclear how many potential beneficiaries the scheme might have, but estimates suggested that the number might run into thousands. Delhi has around 2,500 granthis, said an official with the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC). Separately, an official in the Delhi government's Tirth Yatra Vikas Samiti said "a small temple has four or five priests and large temples have dozens."

When asked how the Delhi government will arrange funds to pay the priests, Kejriwal brushed aside the concern. "I am a magician...I will not let there be any dearth of funds for this scheme," he said.