Karnataka government to double refreshment allowance for pourakarmikas

Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Friday announced that the State government would soon issue an order increasing the refreshment allowance for pourakarmikas from ₹35 to ₹70.

Speaking at the Pourakarmikas’ Day programme in Palace Grounds, Mr. Shivakumar said that a Cabinet sub-committee would be constituted to address the demands of civic workers, including issues related to their boards, welfare and welfare funds.

He said that the government was committed to regularising the remaining pourakarmikas and providing them permanent employment in the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewerage Board and Bengaluru Solid Waste Management Limited.

The government plans to construct Karnataka Public Schools (KPS) in urban areas for the children of pourakarmikas, he said. “Our aim is for your children to study, become leaders and create new employment opportunities. We want your children to become IAS and KAS officers,” he added.

Mr. Shivakumar said that the government had decided to provide ₹7.5 lakh for the construction of houses for civic workers. He also announced that a pourakarmika bhavan would be built, and the work would begin within two months.

He said as many as 12,609 porakarmikas had been regularised since the Congress government came to power in 2023, while 6,000 workers had been appointed in local bodies.

The Chief Minister said that the government would organise Pourakarmikas’ Day every year.