MLA questions ₹4,250 monthly survival for Sarpanch:Posts of Panch and Sarpanch are for social service, not for livelihood, replies minister

During the budget session of the Assembly, the issue of sarpanches and panches not receiving honorarium on time was raised. Congress MLA Mukesh Malhotra from Vijaypur seat of Sheopur district asked Panchayat Minister Prahlad Patel in the Assembly about how much honorarium is being given to sarpanches and panches? The MLA said in the house that before becoming an MLA, I was a sarpanch for two years and I received only four months’ honorarium. On this, the Panchayat Minister said I will investigate this matter as to how it happened that the sarpanch did not receive honorarium on time. Minister says MLA receives honorarium; his son’s payment remains pending I think it’s good for an MLA to be so aware. When I inquired about it, it is true that they did not receive honorarium for the first five months and later five months (when they would have been contesting assembly elections), but they received salary for the interim period. Five months after that, his son became sarpanch. We have called for his record. It was found that he hasn’t received payment. Because of this, we have also taken action against the CEO by issuing a notice seeking response. …Then action will be taken against those responsible The Panchayat Minister said – I have given instructions that if any Sarpanch or Panch’s honorarium is not given within three months, action will be taken against you. Regarding increasing the honorarium, the minister said – The honorarium was increased in 2023. We will do it when our assembly committee recommends it. Or there will be a mechanism that when MLA’s salary increases, other public representatives’ compensation will also increase in the same ratio – we will consider that. First read the Congress MLA’s question
In Madhya Pradesh, the government gives Sarpanch ₹4250/- and Ward Panch Rs 200 per month as honorarium. Can Sarpanch and Ward Panch sustain their livelihood with such low honorarium? Will the government approve the proposal to make Sarpanch’s honorarium ₹25 thousand and Ward Panch’s honorarium ₹15 thousand per month, which would benefit the public representatives? When will the government bring the proposal to increase the honorarium of Sarpanch and Panch? If not, why not? Minister says – Panch, Sarpanch are social service positions, not for livelihood
Panchayat Minister Prahlad Singh Patel replied that currently Sarpanch is provided ₹4250/- per month, and Panch is given ₹300/- per monthly meeting with a maximum of ₹1800/- annually as per provisions. The election of Sarpanch and Panch is voluntary for social service, not for earning livelihood. The minister also said that no proposal to increase the honorarium is under consideration. MLA says: Honorarium not being received on time
MLA Mukesh Malhotra asked the Panchayat Minister that there are more than 23 thousand Sarpanchs and over 4 lakh Ward Panchs working across the state. Is the honorarium of ₹4250 per month for Sarpanchs and ₹1800 annual honorarium for Ward Panchs at ₹300 per monthly meeting sufficient in current times? Is this justice for Sarpanchs and Panchs? Sarpanchs and Panchs are not receiving their fixed honorarium on time. So far only 14-15 months’ honorarium has been given to Sarpanchs and not a single penny has been given to ward Panchs in this term. This is a grave injustice and mockery of people’s elected representatives. Panchayat Minister Prahlad Singh Patel said that the salaries of Panchs, Sarpanchs and all three-tier panchayat representatives were increased in 2013 and then again in 2023. It’s been almost three years now. Regarding the MLA’s second point that they received salary for only 15 months, perhaps he needs to verify his information. I had just inquired yesterday that all our elected representatives – whether Panch-Sarpanch or Janpad or District Panchayat – are receiving their honorarium, there is not much backlog. I think the period for re-examination is determined by the government, but after 2013 it happened in 2023. I’m not saying it will happen after 10 years, but when such a situation arises, it will definitely be reviewed. MLA says: I was a Sarpanch myself
Mukesh Malhotra: The Minister is giving completely false information because I myself was a Sarpanch and completed a two-year term, in which I was given only 4 months’ honorarium. There are many Sarpanchs who have not yet received their honorarium. The department has stated that Sarpanch and Panch positions are for social service. It is true that this position is for social service, but it is also true that every social worker has their own basic needs, they have families and children, and there are other necessities. Will the department consider increasing the honorarium of panch and sarpanch? The minister should seriously consider this matter and increase the honorarium of sarpanches across the entire state. Panchayat Minister Prahlad Singh Patel said I want to know the name of this panchayat so that we can check the records to see if any money is remaining or not? MLA Mukesh Malhotra said – My gram panchayat is Silpuri and there are many such panchayats in Karhal development block. I will find out how this happened, assures minister Minister Prahlad Singh Patel also added that he will get information about how sarpanches who became MLAs haven’t received their payment, and then find out how this happened. Mukesh, could it be that the money came to the bank but went unnoticed because it was a small amount. Mukesh Malhotra said even my son who is currently a sarpanch hasn’t received one month’s payment.