Staff Reporter

ITANAGAR, AUG 28:

The All Arunachal Pradesh Priest Welfare Association (AAPPWA) has urged individuals who have adopted religions other than their traditional faiths to voluntarily surrender the priest honorarium being provided to them by the state government.

Addressing media persons at the Arunachal Press Club here on Thursday, AAPPWA president Tatung Tagar said that, as per the eligibility criteria for receiving priest honorarium, several individuals who have allegedly converted to other religions are still continuing to draw the benefit across the state.

Tagar termed the practice illegal and a violation of the existing system, and appealed to such individuals to surrender the honorarium and refund the amount received after their conversion.

“If they fail to surrender the honorarium and refund the amount, the association will be compelled to take legal action,” he said.

The AAPPWA president also urged the state government to ensure timely release of the priest honorarium to eligible beneficiaries.

The association further objected to the existing practice of selection of local priests by Gaon Buras. Tagar claimed that in some cases, Gaon Buras belonging to other religious groups are involved in the selection process, which, according to the association, creates complications in identifying eligible traditional priests.

The AAPPWA appealed to the state government to entrust the final verification and approval of the eligibility of local priests for the honorarium to the association, stating that this would help ensure that only genuine and eligible traditional priests receive the benefit.