New Delhi: The Delhi government, led by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta, has approved a significant increase in the honorarium of staff working under the Delhi State Disaster Management Authority (DSDMA). The decision will provide an increase of up to 100% for Project Officers (POs), District Project Officers (DPOs) and Project Coordinators (PCs).
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta described the decision as a step towards delivering justice to disaster management personnel who have worked for years without any revision in their honorarium. The move is also aimed at strengthening Delhi’s disaster management system and making it more professional, modern and better prepared for future challenges.
DSDMA Staff to Get Up to 100% Increase in Honorarium
Under the newly approved pay structure, the honorarium of DSDMA staff will be increased by up to 100%.
The decision covers key positions, including:
- Project Officer (PO)
- District Project Officer (DPO)
- Project Coordinator (PC)
According to the Delhi government, the revision has been recommended after considering the responsibilities, experience, technical expertise and changing working conditions associated with these positions.
The government said the increase is not an ex-gratia payment but an effort to establish a fair and competitive remuneration structure for disaster management personnel.
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Honorarium Remained Unchanged for 16 Years
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the honorarium of these employees had remained unchanged for the last 16 years.
The positions were introduced in 2009 with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Since then, the personnel working as Project Officers, District Project Officers and Project Coordinators have continued to contribute to Delhi’s disaster management system.
However, their monthly honorarium remained at:
- ₹25,000 for Project Officers and District Project Officers
- ₹20,000 for Project Coordinators
During this period, inflation increased, disaster-related challenges became more complex and the responsibilities of these personnel expanded. However, they did not receive periodic revisions in honorarium or benefits such as Dearness Allowance (DA) available to many other government employees.
Staff Perform Key Responsibilities Under Disaster Management Act
The Delhi government highlighted the important statutory and operational responsibilities handled by DSDMA personnel under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
Their responsibilities include:
- Preparing district-level disaster management plans
- Conducting scientific assessments of various risks
- Identifying vulnerable areas and communities
- Developing strategies to reduce disaster risks
- Coordinating with different government departments
- Supporting disaster preparedness and response mechanisms
The government said these employees play a critical role in maintaining Delhi’s disaster management preparedness and are not limited to routine office-related duties.
Delhi Staff Were Receiving Lower Honorarium Compared to Other States
According to the Chief Minister, the honorarium for these positions was considerably lower compared to similar roles in several other states and departments.
The government said that in states such as Karnataka, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh, officials performing comparable responsibilities receive around ₹45,000 to ₹50,000 or more in honorarium.
The Delhi government also noted that contractual positions of comparable levels in other departments of the Delhi government receive higher remuneration.
The government said the existing structure was not appropriate for a high-risk metropolitan region such as the national capital, where effective disaster preparedness is essential.
Government Plans Further Measures to Strengthen Disaster Management
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the government is also considering additional measures to strengthen the disaster management workforce and make the cadre more professional.
The proposed measures may include:
- Performance-based annual increments
- Medical security for employees and their families
- Training programmes
- Workshops
- Capacity-building initiatives
These measures are expected to improve the professional capabilities of disaster management personnel and help them respond more effectively to emerging risks.
Delhi Government Focuses on Modern and Future-Ready Disaster Management
CM Rekha Gupta said the government’s objective is not limited to increasing the honorarium of disaster management personnel. The broader goal is to make Delhi’s disaster management system more capable, modern and prepared for future challenges.
She emphasised that personnel who have worked for years on limited honorarium have made an important contribution to the safety of Delhi.
The government believes that recognising their experience, expertise and commitment will not only provide them greater financial fairness but also help strengthen the overall disaster management system for the people of the national capital.
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