Odisha raises remuneration of Gram Rozgar Sevaks

Bhubaneswar, Oct 28 (IANS) Odisha on Saturday hiked the monthly remuneration of Gram Rozgar Sevaks (GRSs) by Rs 2000.

The hike came a day after the agitating GRSs were thrashed by police personnel here. The sevaks had launched an agitation demanding an increase in their wages.

Panchayati Raj Minister Pradeep Maharathy said, with the hike the GRS will get a monthly salary of Rs 7,000 along with additional monetary incentives.

Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan alleged that the announced wage hike was insufficient and is nothing more than instigating the sevaks further.

Earlier, Pradhan, who met the GRSs, criticised the state government over the lathicharge on the sevaks and alleged that Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has become insensitive towards the plight of people.

Pradhan said the government resorting to violence against innocent people was unacceptable.

"These protestors including the females were mercilessly beaten by Police. Dumb & Deaf (Patnaik) government has now also become insensitive," Pradhan said.

The GRSs were appointed by the state government on a contractual basis in 2006 to monitor the implementation of projects under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).