State Endowments Minister Konda Surekha on Thursday handed over a Rs 32 lakh cheque to the employees and the priests, who are working in the endowment department for many years.  

Minister Konda Surekha, Endowment Director Venkata Rao and other officials presented the Priests and Employment Welfare Fund cheque to 18 members through the Priest Welfare Fund Trust. This fund provides gratuity and medical assistance to the employees and priests.

A new welfare fund has been established in Telangana to support the welfare of priests and employees who have been serving in temples across the state for many years.

Minister Konda Surekha gave a cheque of Rs 32 lakh to the employees. Copies of the order were handed over to them. Later, the minister felicitated the retired employees. Speaking on the occasion, Minister Surekha explained that her government is committed to the welfare of priests and employees of the endowment department.  

Minister Konda Surekha stated that the welfare fund will benefit approximately 13,700 priests and other employees working under the Endowments department. She said that posthumous or retirement gratuity will be given to priests and other employees.

Priests and employees, working with the endowment department for a long time, thanked Minister Konda Surekha for helping them.

Minister announced a significant increase in the gratuity amount, raising it from Rs 4 lakh to Rs 8 lakh. This enhanced gratuity will be credited as a lump sum directly into the employee’s bank account upon completion of their service.

The minister further explained that the welfare fund will also be utilized for ex-gratia payments and funeral expenses in the event of an employee’s death.