Mysuru: Life Insurance Policies were distributed to Priests (Archakas and Purohits) during the Sri Shankaracharya and Sri Ramanujacharya Jayanti celebrations organised by All India Unorganised Purohit Federation at Vidyaranyapuram here yesterday.

Speaking on the occasion, MLA T.S. Srivatsa said it is happy to note that priests have received a Government benefit during such a programme.

Expressing dismay that not even a single application has been filed by a priest concerning Archaka Imam lands in the district, Srivatsa said that he has drawn the attention of Muzrai Minister Ramalinga Reddy on   the issues related to professional priests, during the Minister’s visit to the city for distribution of  Sanskrit exam certificates at a programme held at Jaganmohan Palace in the city a couple of months ago.

“I have also spoken to the Minister on issuance of ID cards to professional priests so that they can avail Bank  loans and get other Governmental benefits,” he added.

Former Corporator M.V. Ramprasad, Akhila Karnataka Brahmana Mahasabha State Organising Secretary Dr.K.V.  Lakshmidevi, BJP leader Gopalraj Urs,  Shantakka, Brahmin community leader Vikram Iyengar, the Federation Office-bearers Lakshmeesh, Santosh Kumar, Ganesh, Ravishankar, Manohar, Rajanna, Vijaya Vittalacharya, Gururaj, Sharma, Prasannakumar, Venugopal and others were present.