State govt moves to revise minimum wages for workers: Minimum Wages Advisory Board chairman

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Sep 25, 2026: The Karnataka government is taking steps to revise minimum wages for workers in the state, with a proposed minimum of Rs 19,000 at the taluk level, Rs 21,000 at the district level and Rs 23,000 in Bengaluru, Karnataka Minimum Wages Advisory Board chairman and KPCC general secretary T.M. Shahid Thekkil said on Thursday.

Addressing a press conference at the Mangaluru Press Club, Thekkil said the process had faced legal challenges, with some parties approaching the court and obtaining a stay.

The state government had earlier notified revised minimum wages for scheduled employments, with rates varying according to employment category and geographical zone. The notification has since faced legal challenges and related proceedings before the Karnataka High Court.

Thekkil also urged BJP leaders to give greater priority to development issues instead of focusing on religious and emotional matters. He called on the Opposition to provide constructive suggestions on the state government’s development initiatives.

He said Opposition parties had criticised the Congress government’s guarantee schemes but later introduced similar schemes in other states.

Thekkil alleged that Karnataka was being treated unfairly on several issues, including its share of GST and grants due to gram panchayats. He urged BJP leaders in the state to put pressure on the Union government to address these issues.

Welcoming the recent Cabinet meeting held in Dakshina Kannada, he said the decision to grant Tulu the status of a second additional administrative language and approval for several development projects in the coastal region were positive steps.

Thekkil claimed that Congress governments had implemented projects such as MRPL, Mangaluru International Airport and other development initiatives in Dakshina Kannada. He alleged that BJP leaders had taken credit for selling or privatising some of these assets.

He also criticised former Chief Minister D.V. Sadananda Gowda, alleging that adequate development works were not carried out in Dakshina Kannada during his tenure and that several Union ministers and BJP leaders from the district had failed to work sufficiently for its development.

Thekkil said that although Sadananda Gowda had served as Chief Minister, a Cabinet meeting could not be held in Dakshina Kannada during his tenure. In contrast, he said, Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar had held a Cabinet meeting in Mangaluru and secured approval for several projects for the district, which he described as evidence of the Congress government’s commitment to development.

Karnataka Arebhashe Culture and Literature Academy chairman Sadananda Maje, along with party leaders Suresh Amai, Ramaiah, Rakshith Goonadka, Radhakrishna, Nasir Samanige and Hemanath, were present at the press conference.