Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has increased the honorarium and allowances of representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRI) in the State.
It is worth mentioning that the Panchayati Raj representatives met Kartik Pandian during his visit to various districts and gave proposals regarding a hike in honorarium and allowances.
According to the decision, Zilla Parishad chairperson will get a monthly honorarium 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 honorarium of ZP vice-president has been increased from Rs 7,040 to Rs 20,000 and their DA+Sitting Fee has also been increased from Rs 300 to Rs 600. While the Zilla Parishad members were getting Rs 3,530, now they will get Rs 10,000 monthly honorarium. Their daily allowance DA+SF has also been increased from Rs 300 to Rs 600.
Similarly, Panchayat Samiti chairpersons who used toget Rs 35,300 now will get Rs 15,000 per month. Panchayat Samiti vice-presidents used to get a honorarium of Rs 2,350. Now, they will get Rs 7,005. Panchayat Samiti members who used to get Rs 2,350 will get Rs 7,005.
Similarly, Sarpanchs will get Rs 10,000 instead of Rs 2,350 earlier. Naib Sarpanchs will now get Rs 4,000 while they were erlier getting Rs 940 earlier. The daily allowance DA+SF of Panchayat Samiti Chairman, Deputy chairman, Panchayat Samiti members, Sarpanch, Naib Sarpanch and Ward members has been increased from Rs 240 to Rs 480.
Earlier, Rs 79.88 crore was spent on the honorarium and allowances of Panchayati Raj representatives. After the announcement of hike, the government will spend Rs 242.56 crores. The state government will bear an additional cost of Rs.162.68 crore for the announcement.
Apart from this, kin of Panchayati Raj representatives will get Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia in case of death during their tenure. The government will pay Rs 2 lakh in case of complete disability (Irrecoverable Loss of eyes, hands and feet). Similarly, in case of partial disability (Irrecoverable Loss of one eye, one hand or one leg) assistance of Rs1 lakh will be given.
