Chaos in Chamundi hills, as priests and staffs, go on strike

Mysuru: The priests and employees of  Sri Chamundeshwari Temple and other temples atop the Chamundi hill went on a strike on Friday, December 14 against the state government.

The priests and employees warned the state government that they will not call off the strike until and unless their demands are fulfilled.

As per the sources the demands include the implementation of a pay-scale and salary increment which is not done for many years. The bonuses for the employees given for the Dasara season has not yet been given to the employees, informed sources. 

The puja rituals were all also stopped at the temple as all the priests are out for the strike, as the result all the devotees left the temple disappointed.

KM Prasad, an executive officer of the temple informed,”We are protesting against the state government for the implementation of a pay-scale at the temple. Currently, 96 employees at the temple are paid as per a pay-scale while 76 employees are being paid a consolidated amount of money.” 

Prasad further added that the authorities of the temple have submitted a report to the Muzrai Department of the state government stating their demands. 

Following which the officials of the Muzrai Department met the temple authorities and held discussions over the demands and urged employees to resume their activities today, but Prasad and other employees denied the proposal and said that they will continue to strike until the state government fulfills their demands.