Polls coming,govt hikes minimum wage

The Chief Minister said this reflects the “pro-active and pro-labour policies of the government”. “The Labour department is involved in taking steps in the direction of labour welfare to make the city a role model in this field,” she said.

Starting Tuesday,monthly minimum wages of unskilled labour have gone up by Rs 364 — from Rs 7,722 to Rs 8,086. The minimum wages for semi-skilled labour have increased by Rs 390 to be Rs 8,918 per month; and in respect of skilled labour,the wages have gone up by Rs 416 to be Rs 9,802 per month.

“This would benefit lakhs of workers in the city. The city government has a mechanism in place to effectively deal with the complaints regarding non-payment of minimum wage to workers. The rates of minimum wage are applicable in respect of unskilled,semi-skilled and skilled categories in shops and establishments and clubs,” Dikshit said.

Meanwhile,the Delhi government also decided to slash charges for sewage development by residents of unauthorised colonies. Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said the government has decided to cut sewage development charges to encourage the residents of unauthorised colonies to apply for sewer connections “to ensure a healthy ambiance in such settlements”.

The new charges would be collected based on overall plot size of the houses. “We have decided to provide relief to residents of unauthorised colonies falling under categories D to H,” Dikshit said.

Earlier,the Delhi Jal Board had decided to collect Rs 494 per sqm of the plotted area while granting sewer connections in unauthorised colonies.

Plot-holders of up to 100 square yards would be charged Rs 5,000 for sewer connections instead of Rs 41,000 based on the old system. People having plots measuring 101 square yards to 250 square yards would be charged only Rs 10,000 while those having plot size between 251 sq yards and 500 sq yards will have to pay Rs 20,000. People having plots measuring above 500 sq yards would be charged a flat rate of Rs 50,000.