New Delhi, 23 October (H.S.): Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Friday transferred revised salary payments into the bank accounts of around 4,000 Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS) public health workers employed by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), extending the benefit of equal pay for equal work to the employees.

Under the revised pay structure, eligible workers will receive the minimum salary of Rs 18,000 per month prescribed under Level 1 of the pay matrix, along with variable dearness allowance (DA).

The Chief Minister initiated the transfer by pressing a button during a programme held at the Kedarnath Sahni Auditorium at the MCD headquarters. On the occasion, she reiterated the Delhi government's commitment to safeguarding the dignity, rights and welfare of employees who work around the clock to serve the people of the capital.

CM Gupta said the workers had contributed nearly three decades of service, dedication and perseverance. Appointed during the dengue outbreak in Delhi in 1996, they have played an important role in protecting public health through door-to-door visits and preventive health measures. She said recognising their contribution and ensuring that they receive appropriate benefits was the government's responsibility.

The Chief Minister added that providing employees with dignity, security and facilities commensurate with their work would strengthen their morale and enable them to perform their public duties with greater enthusiasm. She also urged the workers to interact with residents politely and sensitively, noting that their conduct influenced the public's perception of the government.

Delhi Mayor Pravesh Wahi, who attended the programme, said the salary revision for MTS public health workers would entail an annual expenditure of approximately Rs 52 crore. He said the Chief Minister had approved the proposal without delay, enabling the revised amounts to be transferred to the employees' bank accounts.

Pravesh Wahi said the MCD was working in coordination with the Delhi government to implement development initiatives on the ground. He also alleged that previous governments had made promises to these workers without increasing their salaries.

The Mayor further announced that 2,500 additional sanitation workers would be recruited to improve cleanliness across the capital during Diwali. He said the initiative was aimed at maintaining hygiene in Delhi's markets and other public spaces during the festive period.

MCD Commissioner Sanjeev Khirwar said the posts of Domestic Breeding Checkers (DBCs) were created in 1997 to strengthen efforts to prevent dengue. These employees were subsequently identified as MTS public health workers. Under the equal-pay arrangement, they will receive a minimum monthly salary of Rs 18,000, along with variable dearness allowance.

Delhi Deputy Mayor Monika Pant, Standing Committee Chairperson Satya Sharma, Leader of the House Jai Bhagwan Yadav, senior municipal officials and a large number of MTS public health workers were also present at the programme.

The salary revision is intended to provide eligible workers with remuneration aligned with the prescribed pay structure, while recognising their contribution to public health and the delivery of essential civic services across Delhi.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar