Chandigarh, Nov. 6 -- Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Friday announced a hike in the monthly honorarium of Gramin Chowkidars (rural watchmen) from Rs 11,000 to Rs 15,221, providing an additional Rs 4,221 per month to each beneficiary.

Addressing the state-level Gramin Chowkidars Samman Samaroh in Panchkula, Saini said the monthly honorarium had increased more than fourfold from Rs 3,500 in 2014. The annual benefit from the latest hike will exceed Rs 50,000 for each watchman.

The chief minister also announced an increase in the annual uniform allowance from Rs 4,000 to Rs 5,000, equipment allowance from Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500 and bicycle allowance from Rs 3,500 to Rs 5,000.

In a major welfare measure, rural watchmen will be covered under the Employees' State Insurance (ESI) Scheme for the first time in Haryana, providing medical treatment and benefits in cases of accidents and disability to them and their families. They will also be brought under the Haryana Labour Welfare Fund, enabling them to access financial assistance for their children's education and marriage and other family needs.

All the benefits will take immediate effect and entail an additional annual expenditure of around Rs 27 crore. Saini directed officials to issue notifications at the earliest and ensure that the enhanced honorarium is credited to watchmen's bank accounts before the seventh of every month. He also instructed district and block-level officials to complete their registration under the ESI scheme and Labour Welfare Fund without delay.

Urging chowkidars to help combat drug abuse, Saini asked them to report drug trafficking in their villages without fear. He also called upon them to ensure the safety of women, girls and senior citizens and keep records on the Parivar Pehchan Patra portal updated.

The chief minister recalled that the government had raised the honorarium from Rs 3,500 in 2014 to Rs 7,000 in September 2018 and Rs 11,000 in February 2024. He also cited the introduction of provident fund facilities, a Rs 2 lakh retirement benefit, continuation of service up to 65 years for physically fit watchmen and coverage of their families under the DAYALU scheme.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.