Devalaya workers seek help from Assam government

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Around 2,500 people associated with the 108 doul-devalayas in Assam have gone broke in the around 60-day COVID-19 lockdown. They have appealed to the State Government to pay each of them Rs 3,000 per month with effect from April so that they can meet their minimum basic needs.

Each of the 108 doul-devalayas in Assam has 20-25 people associated, including priests. During the COVID-19 lockdown, all these people have been badly affected as they've no other sources of income.

Talking to The Sentinel, Sadou Asom Devalaya Sangha (SADS) secretary general Kailash Sarma said, "We had a telephonic meeting on Thursday when I appealed to all members of the Sangha to cooperate with the government on the outbreak of COVID-19 and the subsequent lockdown. Each of the devalayas in the State performs at least five different pujas yearly. However, all pujas leading to gathering of devotees are banned now. We're set to give even Ambubachi Mela slated from June 22-26, 2020 a miss this year. Such pujas are the sources of income for devalayas. I'm associated with Ugratara Devalaya. Rs 3-4 lakh in cash comes as donations to the devalaya yearly. In kinds, rice, dal, gram etc being donated to the devalaya run for around ten months. The salaries of the priests and other employees of devalayas come from such donations.

"After the lockdown this year, there have been no such earnings. We've already appealed to Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal and Finance Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to devise a plan to open devalayas allowing only 20-30 devotees to visit daily under some specific rules. We also appeal to the government to pay each of us Rs 3,000 per month with effect from April so that we can run our families. Such a payment to us makes sense as we're not covered under any of the government's popular schemes benefiting people lying Above Poverty Line (APL) or Below Poverty Line (BPL). We haven't received any of the sops given by the government during the lockdown.