The Karnataka government has revised the monthly honorarium for rehabilitation workers by Rs. 1000
The state government has increased the monthly honorarium of rehabilitation workers under the Rural Rehabilitation Scheme, Women and Child Development Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar informed the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday.
Replying to a question raised by Krishnaraja MLA T.S. Srivatsa during the Question Hour on the seventh day of the monsoon session, the minister said rural and urban rehabilitation workers will now receive ₹10,000 per month, up from the earlier ₹9,000. The honorarium for multi-purpose rehabilitation workers has also been revised from ₹15,000 to ₹16,000.
As per official figures, 5,601 rural rehabilitation workers, 450 urban rehabilitation workers, and 172 multi-purpose rehabilitation workers are currently serving across Karnataka.
Hebbalkar clarified that these workers are appointed on an honorarium basis, and therefore the rules do not permit their regularisation. She also acknowledged recent protests by differently-abled rehabilitation workers in front of the Mysuru Deputy Commissioner’s office, where they demanded higher pay and job security.
The minister said the government has submitted a proposal to bring rehabilitation workers under the Labour Department’s minimum wage framework. Following the Finance Department’s approval, the honorarium has now been enhanced.
“The government is sensitive to the concerns of rehabilitation workers and is committed to improving their welfare within the existing legal framework,” Hebbalkar assured.