Diwali Gift for MCD Workers: INR 18,000 Minimum Salary and Dearness Allowance Approved
In a Diwali gift, the Delhi government has announced a minimum monthly salary of INR 18,000 plus dearness allowance for nearly 4,000 MCD public health workers under the principle of equal pay for equal work. The move, entailing an annual cost of INR 52 crore, is paired with plans to recruit 2,500 sanitation workers to boost festive cleanliness.
In a festive announcement ahead of Diwali, approximately 4,000 public health workers employed by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) will receive a minimum monthly salary of INR 18,000, along with dearness allowance (DA), under the principle of equal pay for equal work. The revised pay structure, entailing an additional annual expenditure of INR 52 crore, was announced at an event attended by Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta at the MCD headquarters in New Delhi. Mayor Pravesh Wahi noted that the increased wages have been transferred directly to the employees' bank accounts.
Salary Revision and Equal Pay Policy
The employees were initially appointed as domestic breeding checkers (DBCs) to help control dengue outbreaks in the capital before being redesignated as Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS) in the public health department, reports Livemint. Delhi Latest News Today on October 27th, 2026: Lawyers' Strike, Yamuna Cruise & Building Collapse Fallout.
MCD Commissioner Sanjeev Khirwar stated that the workers had continued to perform essential public health duties, including door-to-door visits to inspect mosquito breeding sites and support efforts to prevent vector-borne diseases. Under the revised arrangement, their salaries will be fixed at the minimum of Level 1 of the pay matrix, amounting to INR 18,000 per month, along with variable dearness allowance. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the decision recognised the contribution of employees who had dedicated decades to public health services, adding, "It is our duty to care for the thousands of employees who serve Delhi."
Financial Impact and Additional Recruitment
Mayor Pravesh Wahi explained that the proposal to increase the salaries of MTS public health employees had been included in the civic body's previous budget. "When we told the chief minister about the salary increase announced in the previous budget, she immediately asked about the cost. When informed that it would amount to INR 52 crore annually, she approved it without delay," Wahi said. Additionally, the MCD will recruit 2,500 sanitation workers ahead of Diwali to improve cleanliness across Delhi, particularly in markets and other busy public areas during the festive season.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 27, 2026 02:07 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).