In a significant move ahead of Diwali, Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhu has announced a major hike in the wages and honorariums of various categories of employees, daily wagers, and elected representatives, providing much-needed relief and recognition for their services.
The state government has enhanced the honorarium of 21,115 Mid-Day Meal Workers by ₹500, taking their monthly income to ₹5,000. Similarly, 877 SMC Contract & Volunteer (C&V) teachers will now receive ₹16,009 per month, up from ₹15,509. The honorarium of 833 SMC Lecturers and DPEs, and 491 SMC TGTs has also been increased by ₹500 each, bringing their monthly pay to ₹19,378. Meanwhile, 62 SMC JBTs will now get ₹13,762 and 31 water carriers will receive ₹5,500 per month.
A major relief for daily wagers and part-time workers came with a ₹25 hike in daily wages, raising them to ₹425 per day. Additionally, stitching instructors and 1,399 Panchayat Chowkidars will also benefit from a ₹500 increase in their honorarium, bringing the Chowkidars’ pay to ₹8,500 per month. Likewise, 970 Rajasva Chowkidars will now receive ₹6,300, while 3,304 Lambardars will get ₹4,500 per month after a ₹300 hike.
The state government has also revised the honorarium for elected representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions and Urban Local Bodies. The Zila Parishad Chairperson will now receive ₹25,000 per month, and the Vice Chairperson ₹19,000, both reflecting a ₹1,000 hike. Zila Parishad Members will get ₹8,300 with a ₹500 increase. The Panchayat Samiti Chairperson and Vice Chairperson will receive ₹12,000 and ₹9,000 respectively, each with a ₹600 increase.
The Gram Panchayat Pradhan will now receive ₹7,500, and the Up-Pradhan ₹5,100, while Gram Panchayat Members will get ₹2,100 per month, reflecting increases of ₹300 to ₹600 across positions.
In urban local bodies, the Mayor of the Municipal Corporation will now receive ₹25,000 and the Deputy Mayor ₹19,000, both with a ₹1,000 raise. Municipal Councillors will now get ₹9,400. The Chairperson and Vice Chairperson of Municipal Councils will receive ₹10,800 and ₹8,900 respectively, while Councillors will now earn ₹4,500 monthly. For Nagar Panchayats, the Pradhan will get ₹9,000, Up-Pradhan ₹7,000, and Members ₹4,500 per month after increases ranging from ₹300 to ₹600.
Lastly, the state has also increased the honorarium of Special Police Officers by ₹300, outsourced employees to ₹12,750, and IT teachers by ₹500 per month, reflecting the government’s broader aim of inclusive development and welfare for all categories of workers.
This comprehensive announcement is expected to bring festive cheer and strengthen grassroots governance through increased financial support.
