CM K Chandrashekar Rao has inaugurated the ‘Viprahitha Brahmana Samkshema Sadanam’ in Gopanpally, Hyderabad. Spread over 6 acres, the sadan has 12 types of constructions and will serve as a spiritual, resource and information centre. Constructed with a cost of Rs. 12 crores, India’s first such building features a marriage hall, auditorium, seers’ accommodation building, and also a library with books related to Vedas, Puranas and Upanishads.
Speaking on the occasion, the CM said that such buildings would also come up in Suryapet, Khammam, Madhira, Peddapalli, Beechupalli and other places and announced a slew of welfare measures for the Brahmin community. KCR announced that the honorarium provided to Veda pandits would be increased to Rs. 5,000 from the existing Rs. 2,500 and the eligibility age will be brought down to 65 years from 75 years.
The CM said that the ‘Dhoopa, Deepa, Naivedyam’ scheme will now cover 6,000 temples and the monthly remuneration to archakas in these temples will be hiked to Rs. 10,000 from Rs. 6,000. CM KCR said that Rs. 2 lakh provided to ‘Veda Patashalas’ will now be given as an annual grant and the issue of hereditary archakas will be discussed in the cabinet meeting.
KCR also announced a decision to extend the fee reimbursement scheme to Brahmin students studying in premier institutions like IITs and IIMs. He said that Telangana’s first Sanskrit University will be set up in Kolcharam, Medak in honour of Sanskrit poet Kolichala Mallinadha Suri.
Besides, schemes such as Vivekananda Overseas Education Scheme, a Rs. 20 lakh financial assistance for students pursuing higher education abroad, Sri Ramanuja Reimbursement Scheme, for Brahmin students studying Intermediate or higher education, stipend for students undergoing vedic education, etc., are already in place in Telangana.
The members of the Brahmin community and seers who attended the event from across the country have hailed CM KCR’s steps for the welfare of the community.