Increasing Honorariums: Chhattisgarh Government recognizes the value of essential workers’ contributions
G.S. Kesharwani, Deputy Director
Raipur, 02 May . The implementation of the ‘Nyay’ schemes by the Chhattisgarh government has resulted in an elevation of the status of marginalized, deprived, and poor sections of society, while also providing significant relief to them. The government has raised the quantity of paddy being purchased at support price from 15 quintals to 20 quintals per acre to boost the income of farmers. Innovative initiatives including Swami Atmanand Schools and Dr. Khoobchand Baghel Swasthya Sahayata Yojana have made education and healthcare facilities more easily accessible to people. A scheme for providing monthly allowance has also been initiated for the unemployed. Furthermore, the government has addressed the issues faced by Anganwadi workers and cooks who prepare mid-day meals in schools by increasing their pay, thus improving their status and dignity.
Chief Minister Shri Bhupesh Baghel announced several measures to protect the dignity of laborers, on the occasion of Labour Day. The assistance amount for the relatives of registered construction workers who die in workplace accidents has been increased from Rs one lakh to Rs five lakh. The amount due to them in case of permanent disability has also been hiked from Rs 50,000 to Rs 2.5 lakh. In addition, unregistered workers will now receive assistance of Rs one lakh in case of workplace accidents resulting in death.
In a similar vein, workers will be issued Monthly Season Tickets (MSTs), enabling them to conveniently commute to their workplace by train or bus from their homes. These cards will remain valid for travel up to a distance of 50 kilometers. Moreover, registered construction workers will be eligible for a grant of Rs 50,000 to construct or purchase a new house. Besides, they will receive a grant of Rs 20,000 for the treatment of severe illnesses, including heart surgery, liver transplant, kidney transplant, neurosurgery, spinal surgery, knee surgery, cancer, and stroke, in addition to the benefits of the health department’s schemes.
The state government is providing a monthly unemployment allowance of Rs 2,500 to educated unemployed youth. To support this initiative, the government has allocated a provision of Rs 250 crores in the budget for the financial year 2023-24. Under the Unemployment Allowance Scheme, an amount of Rs 16 crores has already been transferred to the bank accounts of 66,256 eligible beneficiaries. The Rajiv Gandhi Gramin Bhoomiheen Krishi Mazdoor Nyay Yojana has also expanded been expanded to Nagar Panchayats. To date, an amount of Rs 476.62 crores has been transferred to the bank accounts of more than 4.99 lakh people under this scheme.
The salaries of employees working under various government schemes have been increased. The honorarium for Anganwadi assistants which was earlier Rs 2,500 per month until 2018, was increased to Rs. 3,250. As of the financial year 2022-23, it has further been raised to Rs 5,000. Similarly, the honorarium for Mini Anganwadi workers was earlier Rs 3,250 per month until 2018, after which it was increased to Rs 4,500. It has now been further increased to Rs 7,500 for the financial year 2022-23. Likewise, the honorarium for Anganwadi workers was previously Rs 5,000 per month until 2018, after which it was increased to Rs. 6,500. It has now been further increased to Rs 10,000 for the financial year 2022-23.
The honorarium for midday meal cooks has been increased from Rs 1,500 to Rs 1,800 per month. The honorarium for school sanitation workers has been increased from Rs 2,500 to Rs 2,800 per month. An honorarium of Rs 2,200 per month from the state fund, which is in addition to the existing incentives already given to the Mitanins. Similarly, pension given to destitute, elderly, disabled, widows, and abandoned women under Social Security Pension Scheme has been increased to Rs 500 per month. The Chairman of the Steering Committee of self-reliant Gauthans will receive a monthly honorarium of Rs 750 while the members will receive Rs 500 monthly honorarium.
There also has been an increment in the amount of pre-existing honorarium to village Kotwaras on the basis of service land from Rs 2,250 to Rs 3,000; Rs 3,375 to Rs 4,500; Rs 4,050 to Rs 5,500 and Rs 4,500 to Rs 6,000 per month. The honorarium of home guard personnel has been increased from a minimum increment of Rs 6,300 to a maximum increment of Rs 6,420 per month. The monthly honorarium of Gram Patel increased from Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000.
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