Odisha CM Announces Hike in Remuneration for Village Resource Persons

Bhubaneswar: Recognizing the valuable contributions of Village Resource Persons (VRPs), Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today announced a substantial hike in their remuneration across the state.

Effective immediately, the daily remuneration for VRPs has been increased from Rs. 300 to Rs. 400. Additionally, they will receive an extra Rs. 100 towards travel expenses, bringing their total remuneration to Rs. 500 per working day. This decision is expected to directly benefit approximately 10,000 VRPs in the state, with the government allocating an additional Rs. 2.88 crore to cover the increased costs.

The initiative comes after VRPs expressed their concerns during the recent visit of 5T and Nabin Odisha Chairman Kartik Pandian to various districts. Taking cognizance of their challenges, Chief Minister Patnaik swiftly acted to address their grievances by approving the remuneration hike.

VRPs play a crucial role in the Odisha Society for Social Audit Accountability and Transparency (OSSAAT) under the Panchayati Raj & Water Resources Department. They are instrumental in conducting social audits of key government programs such as Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), Pucca House, Food Security, and Mid-Day Meals. Many members of the Mission Shakti movement are actively engaged in this process, contributing significantly to the state’s developmental efforts.

This increase in remuneration not only reflects the government’s commitment to recognizing the hard work and dedication of VRPs but also underscores its emphasis on empowering grassroots workers who play a pivotal role in implementing welfare programs and ensuring transparency and accountability in governance.