T.N. government increases monthly remuneration of rural sanitary workers to ₹6,000

The Tamil Nadu government has increased the monthly consolidated remuneration of sanitary workers (Thooimai Kavalars) employed in village panchayats from ₹5,000 to ₹6,000.

The Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department issued an order to this effect on Tuesday (February 4, 2026) and ordered the allocation of ₹476.136 crore per annum from the State Finance Commission Grant.

To implement solid waste management activities such as collection, segregation, and safe disposal and to ensure cleanliness in rural areas, sanitary workers have been engaged in all village panchayats on an outsourcing basis through Village Poverty Reduction Committees (VPRCs) and Panchayat Level Federations (PLFs).

The last revision in the monthly remuneration of rural sanitary workers was carried out on April 1, 2023, when their salary was increased from ₹3,600 to ₹5,000.