Govt promises action on SC judgment on Imams' salary

NEW DELHI: Government today said it would take appropriate action to implement Supreme Court's observations regarding payment of salaries to Imams (clerics) of government-aided mosques.
Leader of the House Pranab Mukherjee gave the assurance to the Lok Sabha on a Zero Hour mention made by RJD chief Lalu Prasad.
Prasad wanted to know the reasons for the delay in implementation of a 1993 Supreme Court judgement on a petition of the All India Imams Organisation relating to salaries of Imams in government-aided mosques and remuneration to clerics in non-aided places of worship.
There was minor uproar in the House after Minority Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid spoke of differences among Imams on drawing salaries from the government.
Prasad said it was the All India Imams Organisation which had approached the Supreme Court in the matter.
BJP members, including Yogi Adityanath and Bijoya Chakraborty, were seen demanding similar remuneration for eight lakh temple priests across the country.
At this point, Mukherjee said government would take note of the Supreme Court judgement.
He said government was fully aware of the situation and will take appropriate action in the matter.