Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini announces Diwali Gift for Gramin Chowkidars (Rural Watchmen); monthly honorarium increased to Rs 15,221
Chief Minister makes several major announcements for Gramin Chowkidars at State-Level felicitation ceremony in Panchkula
Rural watchmen to receive an additional Rs 4,221 per month; annual benefit exceeds Rs 50,000: Chief Minister
Chief Minister announces increase in uniform, equipment and bicycle allowances for Gramin Chowkidars
All welfare announcements for Gramin Chowkidars to come into effect immediately: Chief Minister
State Government to spend Rs 27 crore annually on the welfare of Gramin Chowkidars: Sh. Nayab Singh Saini
Chief Minister calls upon Gramin Chowkidars to join the fight against drug abuse and ensure the safety of women and senior citizens
Chandigarh,
On the auspicious occasions of Dhanteras and Diwali, Haryana Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini announced an increase in the monthly honorarium of the Gramin Chowkidars (Rural Watchmen) from Rs 11,000 to Rs 15,221. With this increase, each watchman will receive an additional Rs 4,221 per month, translating into an annual benefit of more than Rs 50,000.
Highlighting the significant improvement in the honorarium, the Chief Minister said that in 2014, rural watchmen were receiving a monthly honorarium of only Rs 3,500, which has now increased more than fourfold.
Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini was speaking as the Chief Guest at the state-level Gramin Chowkidars Samman Samaroh held in Panchkula today.
Haryana Development and Panchayats Minister Sh. Krishan Lal Panwar, Deputy Speaker of the Haryana Legislative Assembly Dr. Krishan Middha, Chairman of the Haryana Public Enterprises Bureau Sh. Mohan Lal Badoli, Additional Chief Secretary of the Development and Panchayats Department Sh. Vijayendra Kumar, Deputy Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Sh. Yashpal, Director of the Development and Panchayats Department Sh. Sushil Sarwan and Additional Director, Panchayats Sh Ashutosh Rajan were also.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister extended his heartfelt greetings and best wishes to the people of the state on the festivals of Dhanteras and Diwali.
The Chief Minister also made several significant announcements for Gramin Chowkidars. These include an increase in the annual uniform allowance from Rs 4,000 to Rs 5,000; the annual allowance for essential equipment, including a lathi (baton), flashlight, whistle and umbrella, from Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500 and the bicycle allowance from Rs 3,500 to Rs 5,000.
In another significant decision aimed at the welfare of Gramin Chowkidars, the Chief Minister announced that, for the first time in Haryana's history, they would be covered under the Employees' State Insurance (ESI) Scheme, on the lines of the provisions applicable to water supply and sanitation workers. Under this scheme, rural watchmen and their families will have access to medical treatment in case of illness. They will also receive benefits in the event of an accident or disability.
He further announced that every rural watchman would now also be covered under the Haryana Labour Welfare Fund. This will enable them to avail financial assistance under various government welfare schemes for the education and marriage of their children, as well as to meet other family-related needs.
The Chief Minister announced that all these benefits would come into effect with immediate effect. He stated that these decisions would entail an additional annual expenditure of approximately Rs 27 crore for the state government. However, he emphasised that this expenditure on those who safeguard the villages is, in essence, an investment in the security of every village and every household in the state.
Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini said that he has directed the officials concerned to issue notifications regarding these decisions at the earliest. He further instructed that the enhanced monthly honorarium must be credited directly to the bank accounts of rural watchmen before the 7th of every month. He also directed that every watchman be registered under the ESI Scheme and the Haryana Labour Welfare Fund without delay. District- and block-level officials have been instructed to personally monitor the registration process, ensuring that no watchman has to visit government offices repeatedly to avail the benefits to which they are entitled.
Interacting with the rural watchmen, the Chief Minister urged them to become active partners in the fight against drug abuse. He said that drug addiction destroys families and shatters the dreams of the youth. "You know the streets and people of your villages. If anyone is involved in selling drugs, report the matter without fear," he urged.
Emphasising that the youth are the future of Haryana, the Chief Minister called upon the watchmen to extend their full cooperation in this campaign. He also stressed the need to ensure the safety and security of women, girls and senior citizens. Whether it is a girl going to school, a woman working in the fields or an elderly person living alone, he urged the watchmen to come forward with sensitivity and a sense of responsibility whenever anyone needs assistance.
The Chief Minister also asked the watchmen to ensure that all records on the Parivar Pehchan Patra (PPP) portal are updated accurately and in a timely manner. He said that a single accurate entry could ensure that an eligible family receives its rightful benefits without delay. Therefore, he urged them to consider this responsibility an integral part of their public service.
Rural chowkidars are the true guardians of village security and public trust: Chief Minister
The Chief Minister said that village chowkidars have always been a trusted and integral part of rural life. Whether it is an untoward incident, a dispute, the presence of an unfamiliar person at night, the loss of livestock or a theft, the village chowkidar is often the first person who comes to mind. He said that the slogan "Main Bhi Chowkidar" (I am also a Chowkidar), popularised by Prime Minister Sh Narendra Modi in March 2019, gave a new dimension to the country's political and social discourse. The Prime Minister transformed the term Chowkidar into a symbol of honesty, dedication to duty, public service and commitment to the nation.
The Chief Minister said that anyone who serves the country, protects national assets and performs their duties honestly for the welfare of society is a true Chowkidar. He affirmed that rural watchmen are the real guardians of village security and public trust.
Government takes several decisions to honour the service and welfare of Gramin Chowkidars
The Chief Minister expressed regret that, for decades, the needs and welfare of Gramin Chowkidars did not receive the attention they deserved. He said that, recognising their dedicated service, the present state government has taken several important decisions to safeguard their interests and improve their welfare.
He stated that when the present government assumed office in 2014, a Chowkidar was receiving a monthly honorarium of just Rs 3,500. This was increased to Rs 7,000 per month in September 2018 and subsequently raised to Rs 11,000 per month in February 2024. Keeping their financial security and future in mind, the government also introduced a Provident Fund (PF) facility to ensure regular monthly savings for rural watchmen. In addition, a retirement benefit of Rs 2 lakh has been provided for them. The Chief Minister further stated that physically fit rural watchmen have been allowed to continue in service up to the age of 65 years. Moreover, their families have been brought under DAYALU Scheme to ensure financial support in the event of any unfortunate incident.
Congress has insulted chowkidars and the poor; it must apologize to the nation: Chief Minister
Targeting the opposition Congress party, the Chief Minister said that the party has no substantive issues to raise and is attempting to mislead the public by spreading falsehoods across the country. He asserted that Congress would not succeed in its attempts to mislead the people, as the public is now aware of the party's record.
He remarked that by disrespecting the Prime Minister for calling himself a 'chowkidar', Congress had insulted not only the Prime Minister but also all chowkidars and the poor across the country. The party must, therefore, apologize to the nation for its remarks.
The Chief Minister also referred to several major scams that took place during the Congress regime. He emphasized the importance of making both the present and future generations aware of these scams so that they can understand the party's record.
Gramin Chowkidar are an integral part of the Government; special attention being given to their basic needs: Development and Panchayats Minister Sh. Krishan Lal Panwar
Earlier, while addressing the gathering, Development and Panchayats Minister Sh. Krishan Lal Panwar expressed his gratitude to Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini for making several significant announcements for rural watchmen. He said that the Chief Minister is well aware of the basic needs of rural watchmen, who perform their duties with dedication at the grassroots level, and that the government has taken several important steps keeping their welfare in mind.
He emphasised that rural watchmen serve as a vital link between the government and the people at the grassroots level, ensuring that any incident or untoward occurrence is promptly brought to the notice of the police or the concerned department.
He further stated that under the leadership of Chief Minister Sh. Nayab Singh Saini, the state government has taken several important decisions for the welfare of economically weaker sections. He cited the example of the government's decision to grant ownership rights to individuals who had constructed houses on Gram Panchayat land before 2004. Under this provision, eligible residents can obtain ownership rights by depositing an amount equivalent to 1.5 times the collector rate, provided the land does not fall under categories such as village common pathways (phirni), agricultural land or ponds.
The Minister also highlighted that under the Mukhyamantri Awas Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, houses have been constructed and handed over to poor families to ensure that no one is left without shelter. He further stated that under the Ujjwala Yojana, LPG cylinders are being provided to eligible households at a subsidised price of Rs 500.
Deputy Commissioner Sh. Satpal Sharma, Deputy Commissioner of Police Ms. Aditi Singh, Additional Deputy Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the Zila Parishad Sh. Vivek Arya, former Mayor Ms. Manveer Kaur Gill and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.