Delhi Government Approves Up to 100% Remuneration Hike for Disaster Management Staff

New Delhi, Aug 2026 : The Delhi government has approved a major revision in the remuneration of personnel working with the Delhi State Disaster Management Authority (DSDMA), with Project Officers, District Project Officers and Project Coordinators set to receive increases of up to 100 per cent.

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the decision was aimed at strengthening Delhi’s disaster management system while ensuring fair compensation for personnel who have played a crucial role in preparing the national capital to respond to emergencies.

Gupta described the revision as a long-pending measure to recognise the contribution of DSDMA personnel, who have served as an important part of Delhi’s disaster management framework since 2009. She pointed out that their remuneration had not been revised even once during the past 16 years.

The posts of Project Officers (POs), District Project Officers (DPOs) and Project Coordinators (PCs) were created in 2009 with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). However, their monthly remuneration remained unchanged despite rising inflation, expanding responsibilities and the increasing complexity of disaster management challenges.

Under the earlier structure, Project Officers and District Project Officers were paid ₹25,000 per month, while Project Coordinators received ₹20,000. The positions were not linked to any regular government pay structure or equivalent category.

As a result, the personnel did not benefit from periodic pay revisions or receive Dearness Allowance (DA) available to regular government employees.

Gupta said the newly approved structure would provide increases of up to 100 per cent, taking into account the responsibilities, experience and technical expertise required for these positions.

She emphasised that the revision should not be viewed as an ex-gratia benefit but as an effort to establish a fair and competitive remuneration system suited to the demands of modern disaster management.

The Chief Minister highlighted the extensive responsibilities handled by DSDMA personnel, saying their duties go well beyond routine administrative work. They perform important statutory functions under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, and contribute directly to Delhi’s preparedness for natural and man-made emergencies.

Their responsibilities include preparing district-level disaster management plans, conducting scientific risk assessments and identifying vulnerabilities in sensitive areas and among vulnerable sections of the population.

They also formulate disaster risk mitigation strategies and coordinate with multiple government departments and agencies to ensure an effective emergency response.

Another key responsibility is the management of Emergency Operation Centres (EOCs), particularly during disasters. DSDMA personnel facilitate real-time coordination among agencies such as the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Delhi Fire Services, Police and the Health Department.

The staff also organise training programmes and large-scale mock drills to test emergency preparedness and improve coordination among agencies and other stakeholders.

The Delhi government said the remuneration revision recognises the growing importance of specialised disaster management professionals in a rapidly expanding metropolis.

The move is expected to improve staff motivation and retention while strengthening the institutional capacity of DSDMA to respond effectively to emergencies and protect lives and property across the national capital.