Municipal Administration Minister Eshwar Khandre has said that the process of regularising the services of Pourakarmikas in a phased manner has begun.

Replying to a question by Vishweshwara Hegde Kageri of the BJP in the Assembly on Friday, Eshwar Khandre said that 15,454 Pourakarmikas are on contract in the State, with their salary ranging from Rs. 12,870 to Rs. 14,040.

A High-level Committee, which studied the Haryana Model of Pourakarmikas, has submitted a report to the Government, following which the decision to regularise Pourakarmikas was taken, he said and added that they would get all mandatory benefits.

Replying to a question by Basavaraj Bommai of the BJP, the Minister said that the Government, acting on a direction by the State Planning Commission, had extended 75 percent grant to local bodies.

The Minister also dismissed allegations of discrimination in the implementation of Nagarothana Yojana in Urban  Local Bodies.