BENGALURU: The district convention of Karnataka State Gram Panchayat Employees was held at Vidya Bharathi Kalyana Mantapa on Sunday, where employees passed resolutions demanding recognition as government staff and improved working conditions.
Key demands
The resolutions include:
- Recognition of all gram panchayat employees as government employees
- Minimum monthly wage of Rs 31,000
- Pension of Rs 11,000 for retired employees
- Direct government payment of wages for Swachhata workers
Concerns raised by leaders
Inaugurating the convention, MB Nadagowda, State President of the Employees’ Association, highlighted the continued neglect faced by gram panchayat workers responsible for delivering government services to villages. “While there is no will to revise our salaries, the government is quick to cut down our workforces. Instead of strengthening gram panchayats, it is pushing privatisation,” he alleged.
Nadagowda cited examples such as the removal of watermen, tax collectors, and computer operators, while “Jalasakhis” are being appointed on lower wages. He warned that, similar to Tamil Nadu, staff may be re-appointed on outsourcing terms, leaving regular employees unemployed.
Criticising wage disparities, he said, “The government pays jail inmates Rs 18,000 per month, yet gram panchayat employees do not receive inflation-linked revisions or even minimum wages. We must unite against these anti-people and anti-employee policies.”