Overview

• The Trust’s 108th council meeting on September 4 approved new service rules to place priests and temple staff on par with state government employees.
• Priest pay is reported to rise from about Rs 30,000 to roughly Rs 80,000–90,000 under an Employee Service Manual that adds categories, a grade matrix, promotions, leave and allowances.
• Trust CEO Vishwa Bhushan Mishra said priests previously had no formal framework and that the Board’s approvals will apply only after government concurrence and individual sign-offs.
• A development package cleared a Vedic education and training institute on 46 bighas at Kakrahi, a direct passage linking Kashi Vishwanath Dham to the Vishalakshi Mata temple, and works at Benipur along with cowshed upgrades.
• Pilgrimage and administrative measures include the Tirtha Jal Yojana partnership with Rameshwaram, reinstated visitor passes with stricter verification, a planned digital museum, revised rents for properties, and a 30% honorarium increase with DA adjustments.