Hisar,
Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar has announced to double the monthly honorarium of the chowkidars in the state and also increased the annual allowances for them.

Addressing a state-level convention here on Monday, the CM announced to increase the honorarium from Rs 3,500 to Rs 7,000 for over 5,000 chowkidars. Besides, the uniform allowance was increased from Rs 2,000 to Rs 2,500 and allowance for stick, battery, whistle and umbrella raised by Rs 250 (Rs 750 to Rs 1,000). He also promised that they would be provided bicycles within three months.

The Chief Minister said that those chowkidars who were removed from the service during 2014 to 2017, but they kept on discharging their services during these years would also be given their honorarium. About 150 to 200 chowkidars would be benefited with this decision.

Complaints had been received that these chowkidars worked during this period, but were removed from the services without giving them their salaries, he added.

Asking them to be vigilant about the official functioning in villages where they were deployed, the Chief Minister said the government has been trying to eradicate corruption from the government functioning and sought their help in the drive against corruption.

“The wrongdoings of the previous government are out in the open as the CBI is probing the cases. Corruption is like cancer in society which hurts the common man,” he said, adding that the concept of e-panchayat was another step towards cracking down on corruption. The chowkidars are linked with the activities of three government departments of Home, Revenue and Development and Panchayats and thus are an important part in the rural governance.