New Delhi, 02 August (H.S.): The Delhi Government has announced a major increase in the honorarium of disaster management personnel, raising it by up to 100 percent in a significant move aimed at strengthening the Capital’s disaster management system and providing long-awaited relief to employees who have served for years. The decision brings to an end a 16-year wait for a revision in their remuneration.
According to the Chief Minister’s Office, the honorarium of Project Officers, District Project Officers (DPOs), and Project Coordinators working under the Delhi State Disaster Management Authority (DSDMA) will be increased by up to 100 percent. The decision has been taken to ensure justice for employees who have served as the backbone of Delhi’s disaster management system since 2009 but had not received a single revision in their honorarium over the past 16 years.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said that, after taking all relevant factors into consideration, the government has approved recommendations for a revised pay structure providing up to a 100 percent increase in honorarium for these personnel. She emphasised that the revision is not an ex gratia benefit but a fair and competitive remuneration structure that reflects their responsibilities, experience, technical expertise, and current professional requirements.
Gupta noted that the honorarium paid to DSDMA personnel had remained considerably lower than that offered for similar positions in other states and departments of the Delhi Government. While officials performing comparable responsibilities in states such as Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh receive honorariums ranging from approximately ₹45,000 to ₹50,000 or more, contractual employees in comparable positions across various Delhi Government departments are also paid significantly higher remuneration.
She further stated that, in addition to the honorarium increase, the government is considering several measures to further strengthen this cadre. These include introducing annual performance-based salary increments, providing health insurance coverage for employees and their families, and organising specialised workshops and training programmes on modern disaster management technologies.
The Chief Minister said the government's objective is not merely to enhance salaries but to build a stronger, more modern, and future-ready disaster management system for the national capital.
“Our disaster management officers have made invaluable contributions to the safety and security of Delhi despite working for years on limited honorariums. It is our responsibility to recognise their experience, expertise, and dedication. This decision will not only ensure justice for these personnel but will also significantly strengthen the safety and preparedness of nearly 32 million residents of Delhi,” she said.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
