Rayagada /May 14: During his one-day visit to Rayagada district, Panchayati Raj Minister Ravi Narayan Naik was met by the Self-Reliant Artisans and Pump Operators Association, Rayagada district, who submitted a memorandum to him.
These self-reliant artisans have been working continuously for the past 25 years in the Odisha Government’s Drinking Water Supply Department. However, despite their long service, the state government has not provided any significant benefits so far. They have been issued Skilled Artisan Certificates by the government.
At present, these artisans are receiving a monthly honorarium of ₹3,250, which they described as extremely insufficient. They stated with heavy hearts that it is very difficult to manage their families with such a low income.
The association has demanded that they be paid salaries equivalent to skilled workers, granted recognition as government employees, and provided compensation along with a job to one family member in case of accidental death during duty. They also demanded that their salary disbursement should be handled through the Block Office or the Rural Water Supply and Sanitation Department instead of the Panchayat.
Several members including Kondagari, Simanchal Mishra, Kailash Badapandara, Sudhakar Behera, Srinivas Patika, and Suryanarayan Garadia were present during the submission of the memorandum.
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