THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Thursday announced more welfare measures including a scheme to ensure better remuneration to thousands of daily wage and contract staff. He increased the monthly wages of Anganwadi workers from Rs 6,600 to Rs 10,000 and that of helpers from Rs 5100 to Rs 7,000.
In his reply to the debate on the budget in the Assembly, Mr Chandy said the government hoped to increase the revenue. The state could borrow up to Rs 31,000 crore also, and hence development activities would not be affected.
The new scheme for temporary and contract employees would ensure minimum wage of the pay scale of equivalent posts in government services.
Those who are working on daily wages for more than 10 years would be given up to 3-year contract job considering efficiency.
Other announcements included financial assistance to organ donors, new polytechnic colleges at Vilappilsala and Kumbala, flyover at HMT Junction in Kochi, music academy in the name of musician Baburaj at Manjeri, cath lab at Manjeri Medical College, Rs 50 crore for rehabilitation package of Vizhinjam port, reduction in plantation tax from Rs 700 to Rs 500 per hectare and restrictions on frequent checks at shops by tax officials.
