CHENNAI: State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Ma Subramanian on Monday announced a steep hike in the consolidated honorarium for part-time cleanliness workers engaged under the Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) programme, raising it from Rs 1,500 to Rs 7,376 per month.

Addressing a function at the Tamil Nadu Dr MGR Medical University in Guindy, the Minister said the revision would benefit 1,575 RCH cleanliness workers across the State and entail an annual financial commitment of Rs 11.11 crore.

Of the revised amount, Rs 1,500 will continue to be provided by the union government, while the state government will contribute Rs 5,876. The hike follows a commitment made by the state government on the floor of the Assembly to enhance their remuneration by Rs 5,000.

"It is deeply unfortunate that essential public health workers were made to serve for decades on wages of Rs 500, Rs 1,000 and Rs 1,500. This revision is not the end; it is only the beginning," he said.

Recalling a debate in the Assembly, the Minister said an AIADMK legislator had questioned how Rs 1,500 could be adequate. "Ironically, it was during the AIADMK regime that these meagre wages were fixed and continued for years," he said.

Subramanian added that the government had also increased remuneration for Siddha doctors, dental surgeons, staff nurses, auxiliary nurse midwives, maternal health officers and multi-purpose health workers as part of a broader effort to strengthen the public health workforce.

Later, responding to queries from reporters on the Nipah virus situation, the Minister said Tamil Nadu had intensified surveillance across all districts in view of reports of increased cases in West Bengal. "We are closely monitoring the situation and creating awareness among the public to ensure early detection and prevention," he said.

Health Secretary P Senthilkumar and senior department officials were present at the event.