Guidelines for the implementation of various welfare benefits implemented on behalf of the welfare board for preachers and workers working in churches have been released by the MK Stalin-led DMK government.
According to the DMK government, the board members’ welfare scheme will take effect on May 25. Preachers, educators, singers, cemetery workers, Christian orphanage workers, leprosy rehabilitation home workers, workers without a regular monthly salary, and church workers between the ages of 18 and 60 can apply to join the welfare board, says the DMK government’s guidelines.
Applications for membership on the welfare board can be obtained from District Backward and Minority Welfare Officers, and those interested should obtain a certificate from the parishes where they work and apply.
According to the guidelines, the identity card will be issued to those who have registered, and the membership registration period is five years, which must be renewed every five years.
The guidelines said that the registered members should apply to the District Backward and Minority Welfare Officer in the prescribed form along with suitable evidence for welfare assistance. Board members can get an old age pension if they complete seven years of continuous service and attain the age of 60 years. However, a person under the age of 60 who is unable to work due to illness is exempt from the above-mentioned condition and can still receive an old-age pension.
However, the Hindu Munnani condemned the DMK government’s policy of providing pensions to Christian preachers and workers. In a tweet, Hindu Munnani state spokesperson and Chennai city president AT Elangovan questioned the DMK government, asking, “Why should tax money, paid primarily by Hindus, be used for a minority pension scheme?”
சர்ச் பணியாளர்களுக்கு நலவாரியம் அமைத்து இந்துக்கள் வரிப்பணத்தில்
ஓய்வூதியம் தருகிறதாம் இந்து விரோத திமுக அரசு pic.twitter.com/f9usVg7xpC— A.T.Elangovan (@elangovan_HM) February 1, 2023
Click here to subscribe to The Commune on Telegram and get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.