The Delhi Government has approved a remuneration increase of up to 100% for staff working under the Delhi State Disaster Management Authority (DSDMA), covering Project Officers, District Project Officers, and Project Coordinators.
These positions were created in 2009 with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and their monthly remuneration had remained unchanged for 16 years since then. Project Officers and District Project Officers were fixed at ₹25,000 a month and Project Coordinators at ₹20,000.
During this period, the staff neither benefited from periodic pay revisions nor received Dearness Allowance (DA), unlike other government employees.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the remuneration for these posts had remained significantly lower than that offered for similar positions in other states and even in various departments of the Delhi Government, with comparable officers in Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh receiving around ₹45,000 to ₹50,000 or more a month.
The Chief Minister said the revision is not an ex-gratia benefit but a step towards establishing a fair and competitive remuneration structure that reflects responsibilities, experience, technical expertise, and the demands of the present time.
DSDMA personnel are responsible for critical functions under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, including preparing district-level disaster management plans, conducting scientific risk assessments, and coordinating with multiple agencies including the NDRF, SDRF, Fire Services, Police, and Health Department during emergencies.
The government said it will also consider welfare measures in the future, including performance-based annual increments, medical coverage for employees and their families, and opportunities for training, workshops, and capacity building.
