Chennai, 19 January (H.S.) : State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Ma Subramanian on Monday announced a significant increase in the consolidated honorarium for part-time sanitation workers employed under the Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) programme.

During a special event held at the Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University in Guindy, the Minister confirmed that the monthly remuneration for these workers has been raised from Rs 1,500 to Rs 7,376. This substantial revision is expected to benefit approximately 1,575 RCH sanitation workers stationed across the State and will result in an annual financial commitment of Rs 11.11 crore for the government.

The Minister explained that while the Union government will continue to provide Rs 1,500 of the total amount, the State government will contribute the remaining Rs 5,876. This move follows a previous commitment made by the administration on the floor of the Assembly to enhance the remuneration of these essential workers. Minister Ma Subramanian remarked that it was unfortunate that public health workers had served for decades on meagre wages ranging from Rs 500 to Rs 1,500.

He further noted that this revision is part of a broader effort to strengthen the public health workforce, which has also seen pay increases for Siddha doctors, dental surgeons, and staff nurses. Health Secretary P Senthilkumar and other senior officials were present during this significant announcement aimed at improving welfare.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Dr. R. B. Chaudhary