Ward Member Salary Per Month in Bihar, Assam, Kerala, Odisha and Uttar Pradesh in 2025

Ward members are integral to India’s local self-governance, serving as crucial intermediaries between citizens and the panchayat administration. These elected representatives articulate community concerns, monitor essential services, and contribute to the planning of village development projects. As of 2025, the compensation structures for ward members vary significantly across states, as exemplified by Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. Bihar offers a consistent monthly honorarium, aiming to provide a stable income for these grassroots workers, whereas Uttar Pradesh employs a meeting-based payment system. These differing approaches reflect each state’s unique priorities and fiscal strategies concerning local governance.

Who is a Ward Member?

A Ward Member, also known as a Panch in certain regions, is an individual elected to represent a defined geographical division called a ward. This ward constitutes the smallest administrative unit within a village or town government. Chosen through local elections, their primary responsibility is to advocate for the needs and interests of their constituents.

Responsibilities of a Ward Member

The essential duties of a ward member encompass a range of local governance functions:

• Local Representation:They actively listen to the requirements and issues of residents in their designated area and present these during official meetings.
• Development Planning:They play a role in developing and endorsing smaller-scale projects, which include infrastructure such as roads, water supply systems, sanitation facilities, and streetlights.
• Monitoring Services:They oversee the implementation of government schemes within their area, such as MGNREGA, PDS, and various sanitation initiatives.
• Grievance Redressal:They address complaints from local citizens regarding civic matters and provide assistance in accessing government services.
• Community Participation:They foster public involvement in meetings, ensuring transparency and accountability in local decision-making processes.
• Health and Education:They collaborate with health workers and educational institutions to guarantee the delivery of appropriate services and escalate concerns when standards are not met.

In essence, a ward member serves as a vital link, bridging the gap between the government and the community to enhance fundamental services and foster local development.

Ward Member Salary Per Month

The remuneration for ward members exhibits variation across states, primarily due to each state’s distinct approach to Panchayati Raj management. While the foundational principles align with constitutional provisions, the specific implementation and financial responsibilities rest with individual state governments. Below, we delve into the details of the salary structure for ward members in various states.

Ward Member Salary Per Month in Bihar

In April 2024, the Bihar cabinet, under the leadership of Nitish Kumar, approved a decision to double the honoraria for rural panchayat members, notably just before the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Consequently, ward members are now entitled to receive ₹800 a month, marking an increase from their previous ₹500. Concurrently, Mukhiya and Sarpanch positions will each command ₹5,000 a month, while Up-Mukhiya and Up-Sarpanch will receive ₹2,500. These disbursements will be directly deposited into their bank accounts, ensuring uniform rates across all wards. Furthermore, a provision for ₹5 lakh compensation has been established for the families of members in the unfortunate event of their demise.

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Ward Member Salary Per Month in Uttar Pradesh

Since December 2021, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath increased the monthly remuneration for Gram Pradhans (Village Heads) from ₹3,500 to ₹5,000. In contrast, Ward Members in Uttar Pradesh receive a sitting fee of ₹100 per meeting. With the possibility of up to 12 meetings annually, their total yearly earnings could reach approximately ₹1,200. For positions at higher tiers, Kshetra Panchayat members are compensated ₹1,000 for each of their 6 meetings, while Zila Panchayat members receive ₹1,500 per meeting, also for a maximum of 6 meetings.

Ward Member Salary Per Month in Assam

Before examining the specific salary details, it’s important to understand several key provisions regarding remuneration in Assam:

• Legal Basis:In accordance with the Assam Panchayat Act of 1994 and the rules established in 2002, all three tiers of the Panchayati Raj system – Gaon Panchayat (GP), Anchalik Panchayat (AP), and Zilla Parishad (ZP) – are eligible for monthly pay and various allowances.
• Payment System:Commencing in February 2023, the state government initiated a system of regular monthly payments via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT). This robust system covers approximately 23,204 GP members, 2,167 AP members, and 413 ZP members.
• Funding Mechanism:These payments are disbursed through the 6th Assam State Finance Commission grant, acknowledging that local bodies often lack sufficient inherent revenue generation to cover salaries independently.
• Recent Cabinet Action:Demonstrating its commitment to PRI members, the Assam cabinet, in August 2023, approved the settlement of overdue arrears alongside ongoing remuneration.

Note:No official updates on specific monthly figures have been released since 2015. Currently, payments align with the Assam government’s DBT schedule rather than a fixed sum.

Ward members in Assam receive monthly payments, though a precise fixed amount is not currently stipulated. They recommenced receiving regular disbursements in February 2023 through a direct benefit transfer, funded by the 6th Finance Commission grant. While GP members historically earned ₹1,500 a month in 2015, this figure is likely higher now given the systemic changes implemented since 2023, despite the updated figures remaining officially unreleased. The government has also taken steps to approve a plan for clearing past arrears and maintaining timely payments.

Ward Member Salary Per Month in Odisha

Effective March 12, 2024, the Odisha government implemented an increase in sitting allowances: ward-level members are now compensated ₹480 per day, while zilla parishad members receive ₹600 daily. It is noteworthy that ward members in Odisha do not receive a consistent monthly salary; instead, their compensation is ₹480 for each meeting attended. Other Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) officials, such as Naib Sarpanch and Sarpanch, have established monthly payments, detailed in the table below. All allowances and honoraria are sourced from state funds and processed via direct bank transfers, managed by the Panchayat department. Furthermore, in cases where a ward-level PRI member unfortunately passes away while on duty, their family is eligible for ₹2 lakh in compensation, and individuals sustaining full or partial disability are entitled to receive ₹1–2 lakh.

Ward Member Salary Per Month in Kerala

Currently, ward-level members in Kerala receive a monthly honorarium of ₹7,000. Higher-ranking officials, such as vice-presidents and presidents, command greater remuneration, as established by a 2016 Government Order. As of 2025, there have been no official amendments to these figures; thus, the 2016 rates remain in effect unless a new Government Order is promulgated. Any discussions regarding potential salary increases should be considered speculative without official confirmation. For accurate information on any changes, consulting the official website or the Finance Department’s G.O. section is recommended.