The minimum wages have been increased by ₹6 a day in Rajasthan following a proposal to revise the surcharge imposed on stamp duty, which is spent on welfare and protection of cows. Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje made the announcement during her visit to Sawai Madhopur district over the weekend.
Addressing a “Jan Samvad” programme in Chauth Ka Barwara, Ms. Raje said the minimum wages in all categories of work had been increased in view of inflation and to provide relief to labourers.
The wages of unskilled labourers have been increased from ₹207 to ₹213 a day. The enhanced daily wages will be ₹223 for semi-skilled labourers, ₹233 for skilled labourers and ₹283 for highly skilled labourers. The increased wages will come into effect retrospectively from January 1, 2018.
The State government is also considering doubling of surcharge on stamp duty for welfare and protection of cows from the existing 10% to 20%. Around ₹235 crore worth of revenue has been generated from the 10% surcharge levied in April last year on those making rent and lease agreements and making property transactions on stamp papers.
According to the official sources, the State Cabinet has approved a notification for increasing the surcharge twofold and sent the proposal to Governor Kalyan Singh for approval.
Extended grants
The State needs about ₹490 crore annually to meet the expenditure for providing fodder and shelter to 9,60,000 cows in 2,562 authorised gaushalas. The State, which has a dedicated Ministry for cow welfare, has extended the grants for water and fodder to gaushalas from three months to six months.