Archive · 18 Aug 2026
Anam: Priests Recruited on Merit, Not Zonal System
A minister named Anam Ramanarayana Reddy spoke to a big group of leaders who help make rules for the state.
Some leaders asked questions about how temple priests get their jobs.
The minister said priests are chosen because they are good at their work, not because of where they come from.
He said the government has no information about anyone being treated unfairly.
Recently, the government gave jobs to 344 people in temples.
Out of these, 172 jobs were in a region called Rayalaseema.
More than 1,400 priests came for interviews to show how good they were.
The minister said the whole process was recorded so everyone can see that it was fair.
The government is also working to fill the temple jobs that are still empty.
Minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy said temple priests, pandits and staff are recruited on merit, not the zonal system.
The government recently filled 344 temple posts, including 172 in Rayalaseema.
Over 1,400 priests attended interviews, and 1,431 applications came from Rayalaseema, of which 172 were recruited.
Vacancies at Srisailam, Mahanandi, Srikalahasti and Kanipakam temples are being filled through notifications.
In Rayalaseema Zone-4, over 245 of more than 440 posts are filled, leaving 147 vacant.
- Who
- Minister Anam Ramanarayana Reddy, replying to questions in the Assembly session.
- What
- Announced that temple priests, pandits and supporting staff are recruited based on merit and not a zonal system, and shared recruitment figures.
- When
- During a recent Assembly session (exact date not given in the article).
- Where
- State Assembly; recruitment covers temples in Rayalaseema, including Srisailam, Mahanandi, Srikalahasti and Kanipakam.
- Why
- To respond to questions about alleged injustice to pandits and priests during temple appointments in Rayalaseema.
Assembly Questioners
State Government
Injustice to priests in Rayalaseema
Assembly Questioners
Questions were raised suggesting pandits and priests faced injustice during temple appointments in Rayalaseema.
State Government
The government said it has no information about such injustice and recruitment follows regulations.
Zonal system in recruitment
Assembly Questioners
Priests and staff may expect appointments to be based on the zonal system.
State Government
The government says merit, irrespective of region, is the priority and the zonal system is not followed.
- Minister
- Anam Ramanarayana Reddy
- Recruitment basis
- Merit, not zonal system
- Posts filled recently
- 344 (172 in Rayalaseema)
- Applications from Rayalaseema
- 1,431
- Priests interviewed
- Over 1,400
- Rayalaseema Zone-4 posts
- Over 440 (147 vacant)
- Temples with notified vacancies
- Srisailam, Mahanandi, Srikalahasti, Kanipakam
- Transparency measure
- Recruitment process recorded