Bhubaneswar: Following protest by Sarpanches from across the state for pay hike and adequate power, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has increased the remuneration of Panchayati Raj representatives of the state.
As per the announcement, Zill Parishad presidents will get a monthly allowance of Rs 30,000 instead of Rs 9,380. Their daily allowance DA+ Sitting fee has also been increased from Rs 300 to Rs 600.
The remuneration of Zilla Parishad Vice-Presidents has been increased from Rs 7,040 to Rs 20,000 and their DA+SF allowance has also been increased from Rs 300 to Rs 600.
While the ZP members, who were getting Rs 3,530 per month, will now get Rs 10,000 and their daily allowance (DA+SF) has also been increased from Rs 300 to Rs 600.
Similarly, the remuneration of Panchayat Samiti chairpersons has been enhanced from Rs 3530 to Rs 15,000 while the block vice-presidents will get Rs 7,500 instead of Rs 2,350. The remuneration of Panchayat Samiti Members has also been hiked to Rs 7500 from Rs 2350 per month.
The Sarpanches will now get Rs 10,000 instead of Rs 2,350 while Naib Sarpanches will get Rs 4,000 instead of Rs 490. The daily allowance and sitting fees of Sarpanches, naib sarpanch and ward members have been hiked to Rs 480 from the existing Rs 240 per day.
Moreover, the daily allowance (DA+SF) of block chairman, vice-chairman, Panchayat Samiti members, Sarpanch, Naib Sarpanch and Ward Members has been increased from Rs 240 to Rs 480.
It is worth noting that an amount of Rs 79.88 crore was being spent earlier on remuneration and allowances of panchayati raj representatives. Following the hike, Rs 242.56 crore will be spent. The state government will bear an additional expenditure of Rs 162.68 crore for this.
Apart from the above allowances, in case of death during the tenure of PRI representatives, a sum of Rs two lakh would be paid as ex-gratia.
In case of any mishap, Rs two lakh will be given for total disability (Irrecoverable loss of both eyes, hands and feet). Similarly, in case of partial disability (Irrecoverable loss of one eye, one hand or one leg) assistance of Rs. one lakh will be given.