MLA, Nuklutoshi highlighted the extremely low wages being paid to workers engaged under the government, noting that the existing minimum wage is fixed at ₹176 per day for unskilled workers, ₹210 per day for Grade-I skilled workers, and ₹235 per day for Grade-II skilled workers. He called for an upward revision of the rates in view of the rising cost of living and the prevailing wage rates in neighbouring states. The MLA also sought to know what steps the government had taken to implement the recommendations of the Nagaland State Human Rights Commission (NSHRC) regarding the revision of wages for unskilled, semi-skilled, skilled and highly skilled workers.
Responding to the query, Deputy Chief Minister, TR Zeliang, who holds the portfolios of Planning and Transformation and National Highways, stated that, following the NSHRC's recommendations, the State Advisory Board met on March 12, 2025, to consider the revision and fixation of minimum wages in the state. He informed the House that the Board had proposed revised daily wage rates of ₹297 for unskilled workers, ₹365 for semi-skilled workers, ₹400 for skilled workers and ₹450 for highly skilled workers.
Zeliang further stated that the draft recommendations of the State Advisory Board on the fixation of minimum wages for 2025 were referred to the Departments of Law and Justice and Finance for necessary vetting and concurrence. Following this, a Cabinet memorandum was submitted for consideration. Subsequently, a Cabinet meeting was held on March 23, 2026. Pursuant to the Cabinet's directives, the matter was re-examined by the Finance Department, which reiterated its earlier opinion. The department's position had previously been concurred with vide U.O. No. 199 dated June 19, 2025.
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