Karnataka govt to give pension to 'Devdasis'

Ahmednagar, Maharashtra, Jan 15 (UNI) Karnataka Minister for Women and Child Welfare H K Kumarswamy today said his government would provide a monthly pension to 'Devdasis'.

'Devdasis' are girls who are ''married'' to a deity or a temple.

A religious practice, 'devdasi' system is still prevalent in some Hindu communities, especially in southern India.

Speaking to journalists after visiting the holy shrine of Shirdi Sai Baba here, he said they would provide Rs 300 as monthly pension to the 'Devdasis' from April this year.

The Minister said, besides this, the government would construct 15,000 houses, each costing Rs 25,000, for them soon.

Mr Kumarswamy added that men marrying Devdasis would recieve Rs 10,000 as incentive.

UNI