WAGES TO THE LABOURERS

The works are invariably executed departmentally by engaging labourers on muster rolls. The labourers are however not paid according to the number of days they remain present on the work but are paid according to the quantity of work done on the basis of rates for different items are so fixed that an average person working diligently for 7 hours a day, should earn wage equal to the minimum wage prescribed for agriculture labour for the concerned zone, under the Minimum Wages Act. Exception is however made in the case of the work of gorge filling of tanks which is allowed to be done through piece workers so that it gets completed before onset of monsoon and risk of partly completed work getting washed away by flood is avoided. Similarly, exception is made of rock blasting work of canals. Zone-wise prevailing rates of wages under Employment Guarantee Scheme revised as on 26 March 2001 are as follows: Zone 1 - Rs 51; Zone 2 - Rs 49; Zone 3 - Rs 47; Zone 4 - Rs 45.