Yog Raj Sharma
The North News
Shimla, October 8
Ahead of Diwali, the Himachal Pradesh government led by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has announced a significant honorarium hike for thousands of state employees, daily wagers, and local body representatives. The move, described as a “festival gift”, aims to provide financial relief to lower-income and contractual workers across the state.
The Chief Minister approved an increase of ₹500 in the honorarium for 21,115 mid-day meal workers, raising their monthly payment to ₹5,000. Similarly, the honorarium for 877 SMC C&V teachers has been raised from ₹15,509 to ₹16,009, while 833 SMC lecturers and DPEs, 491 SMC TGTs, and 62 SMC JBTs will now receive ₹500 more per month, taking their pay to ₹19,378 and ₹13,762, respectively. Thirty-one water carriers will now earn ₹5,500, also after a ₹500 hike.
For daily wagers and part-time workers, the government has increased the daily wage by ₹25, bringing it to ₹425 per day. The honorarium for tailoring instructors has also been increased by ₹500. Among other beneficiaries, 1,399 panchayat chowkidars will now receive ₹8,500, 970 revenue chowkidars will get ₹6,300, and 3,304 lambardars will earn ₹4,500 after a ₹300 increase.
The Chief Minister also announced increments for representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).
- Zila Parishad Chairpersons will now get ₹25,000 per month, up by ₹1,000.
- Vice-Chairpersons will receive ₹19,000, while members will now get ₹8,300.
- Panchayat Samiti Chairpersons’ honorarium has been raised to ₹12,000, Vice-Chairpersons to ₹9,000, and members to ₹7,500.
- Gram Panchayat Pradhans will receive ₹7,500, Up-Pradhans ₹5,100, and members ₹2,100 after their respective hikes.
For urban local bodies, Mayors of Municipal Corporations will now earn ₹25,000, Deputy Mayors ₹19,000, and Councillors ₹9,400. In Municipal Councils, the Chairperson’s honorarium has been raised to ₹10,800, Vice-Chairperson to ₹8,900, and Councillors to ₹4,500.
In Nagar Panchayats, Presidents will now get ₹9,000, Vice-Presidents ₹7,000, and members ₹4,500.
Additionally, Special Police Officers (SPOs) will receive an increase of ₹300, outsourced employees will now be paid ₹12,750, and IT teachers will get ₹500 more per month.
The Chief Minister said the decision reflects the government’s commitment to improving the welfare of workers and local representatives despite the state’s financial constraints.
“This is our Diwali gift to thousands of hardworking employees who are the backbone of Himachal’s governance and education systems,” Sukhu said.
