Uttar Pradesh's approximately 60,000 village watchmen, known as 'gram praharis', will receive a significant boost to their monthly honorarium, with the state government implementing a Rs 1,000 increase starting October 13. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath is set to formally announce this decision and felicitate watchmen during an event in Bareilly on the same day.
This raise elevates their monthly pay from Rs 2,500 to Rs 3,500, representing a 40 percent hike. Each watchman will now earn an additional Rs 12,000 annually. The move addresses long-standing demands for better remuneration for these crucial personnel, who serve as a vital link in rural policing and the information network. Working closely with local police stations, 'gram praharis' report suspicious activities, local disputes, and other law-and-order concerns, ensuring consistent communication between villages and law enforcement.
The increased honorarium will place an additional financial burden of approximately Rs 7 crore per month, totaling Rs 84 crore annually, on the state exchequer. Authorities anticipate allocating funds for this through a supplementary budget.
This decision follows a series of similar initiatives by the state government to enhance the earnings of various honorarium-receiving workers. Recently, the monthly honorarium for about 3.53 lakh cooks preparing midday meals in government basic education schools increased from Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,000. Anganwadi workers saw their pay rise by Rs 4,000 monthly, while Anganwadi helpers received a Rs 2,000 monthly increase. Furthermore, over 57,000 panchayat assistants now earn Rs 9,000, up from Rs 6,000, and Provincial Guards (Prantiya Rakshak Dal) volunteers' daily allowance climbed from Rs 500 to Rs 600.
In a separate but related development, the government is considering a proposal to raise monthly pensions for senior citizens, destitute women, and persons with disabilities from Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500. Chief Minister Adityanath has already given in-principle approval to this initiative, which is expected to go before the state Cabinet in the latter half of November. If approved, this would benefit over 67 lakh senior citizens, 42 lakh destitute women, and 12 lakh persons with disabilities, providing each an additional Rs 6,000 annually.
Image: mangalorean.com
đź“° Source: Mangalorean News