Pay salaries to imams as per SC directions: UPCC

LUCKNOW: A delegation of Uttar Pradesh Congress today met Governor B L Joshi and handed him a memorandum demanding salaries for imams (clerics) as per the directions of the Supreme Court.

"We met the Governor and asked him to ensure implementation of Supreme Court order regarding salary to imams in UP. The decision has been implemented in Haryana, Punjab, Delhi," Congress state president Rita Bahuguna Joshi told reporters.

The delegation apprised the Governor that there were 28 lakh mosques in the country, of which 3.30 lakh mosques were in UP.

Imams were given salaries between Rs 2,500 and Rs 9,000 in other states, they said, adding that the state government was delaying implementation of the decision.

The SC disposing a petition filed by an organisation of imams in May 23 1993 had directed governments to pay salaries to imams, Congress leaders said.