Imams and Muezzins across Telangana are facing uncertainty ahead of Ramzan due to delayed honorarium payments by the Wakf Board. With dues cleared only till November and thousands of applications pending, religious functionaries have urged immediate intervention by the government.
Published Date – 15 February 2026, 12:14 PM
Hyderabad: While the holy month of Ramzan is all set to commence later this week, the Imam’s and Muezzin in the State are in quandary following the delay in payment of the honorarium by Telangana Wakf Board.
The TG Wakf Board had released the honorarium to the Imam and Muezzin, up to the month of November. The TG Wakf Board pays honorarium to around 15000 Imams and Muezzins in the Telangana State. The Imam leads the prayers in the mosque, while the Muezzin gives the call for prayer (adhaan) and takes care of upkeep of the mosque.
“We are paid the amount once every four of five months. The board officials are expressing inability to pay the money citing financial problems every month or once every two months,” said a Muezzin, of a mosque at Kalwakurthy.
The scheme was introduced by former Chief Minister and BRS party president K Chandrashekhar Rao in 2015. In the initial phase, each Imam and Muezzin received Rs 1,000 a month, which was later enhanced to Rs 5,000 per month by the then BRS government.
“The holy month of Ramzan will commence later this week. Everyone knows, people need money for Ramzan month preparation. Despite being aware of it, the wakf board shows no zeal is crediting the honorarium,” said a Imam from Devarakonda mandal of Nalgonda district.
Unlike cities and towns, there is no alternative source of livelihood for the Imam and Muezzin, who stay in accommodation provided at the mosque and perform their duties. “The villagers are poor and cannot afford to pay us huge amounts for the services. Despite all odds, we continue with religious duty. The wakf board management should keep it in mind and release the amount on monthly basis,” said another Imam of a mosque in Turkapally mandal of Yadadri Bhuvangiri district.
Meanwhile, the government sits on around 8000 fresh applications submitted by the Imam and Muezzin for the honorarium. The applications were submitted during the last two years.
