Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Friday announced a major hike in the monthly honorarium of Gramin Chowkidars (rural watchmen), raising it from Rs 11,000 to Rs 15,221 — an additional Rs 4,221 per month for each of the 5,201 village watchmen across the state. The announcement was made at the state-level Gramin Chowkidars Samman Samaroh in Panchkula, held on the occasion of Dhanteras and Diwali.
Along with the honorarium, the Chief Minister raised the annual uniform allowance from Rs 4,000 to Rs 5,000, the equipment allowance from Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,500 and the bicycle allowance from Rs 3,500 to Rs 5,000. In a first for Haryana, rural watchmen will now be covered under the Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) Scheme, giving them and their families medical treatment and benefits in case of accidents and disability. They will also be brought under the Haryana Labour Welfare Fund, which opens up financial assistance for their children’s education and marriage and other family needs.
Saini noted that the monthly honorarium of Gramin Chowkidars has risen more than fourfold since 2014, when it stood at Rs 3,500. The enhanced benefits take effect immediately and will cost the state government an additional Rs 27 crore every year. The Chief Minister directed officials to ensure the revised honorarium is credited directly to the watchmen’s bank accounts before the seventh of every month.
Gramin Chowkidars are the eyes and ears of village administration — they assist the panchayat and the police, keep watch over village property and help in reporting incidents. The ESI cover and Labour Welfare Fund membership matter as much as the pay hike itself, because they give watchmen and their families a safety net they did not have before. For the 5,201 families, the package combines higher monthly income with health and welfare protection for the first time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the new honorarium for Haryana Gramin Chowkidars?
A: Rs 15,221 per month, up from Rs 11,000.
Q: How many Gramin Chowkidars are there in Haryana?
A: 5,201 village watchmen across the state.
Q: Do Haryana Gramin Chowkidars get ESI benefits now?
A: Yes, for the first time — medical treatment and accident and disability benefits under the ESI Scheme, plus Haryana Labour Welfare Fund benefits.
Q: When will the increased honorarium be paid?
A: The benefits take effect immediately, and the revised honorarium is to be credited to bank accounts before the 7th of every month.
Next Action: If your family is among Haryana’s poorest households, read about the Antyodaya Parivar Utthan Yojana 2.0 and how it raises family income: https://www.viksitharyana.com/english/haryana-mmapuy-2-0-antyodaya-parivar-utthan-yojana/
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