Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) chairpersons, vice-chairpersons and councillors are expected to begin receiving increased monthly stipends within days following the completion of administrative processes, Minister of Local Government Priya Manickchand has announced.
In a video posted on her Facebook page, Manickchand said the increases, which were announced in the 2026 national budget, had been delayed while the necessary paperwork was completed with the Ministry of Finance.
“We’ve finally gotten that and we’re about to give you this significant raise in stipends,” she said.
Under the revised rates, stipends for NDC chairpersons will increase from $10,000 to $50,000 per month, while vice-chairpersons will move from $5,000 to $40,000. Councillors’ stipends will rise from $3,000 to $30,000.
Regional Democratic Council (RDC) councillors will also receive an increase, with their monthly stipends moving from $30,000 to $50,000.
According to Manickchand, the increases will benefit the country’s 70 NDC chairpersons and vice-chairpersons, more than 1,000 councillors and regional councillors.
She said the enhanced stipends are intended to better equip local government officials to serve their communities.
“With more, our councillors, chairpersons, vice-chairpersons will have more to give you, I hope. When much is given, much is expected,” the minister said.
Manickchand added that the government believes the increases will contribute to improving the functioning of local democratic organs.
“I believe that we can work together to make our local bodies function better and this is our part of trying to make sure we can do our part as a state to help these bodies to function better,” she said.
The minister said the increased stipends are expected to begin reaching NDCs and beneficiaries’ homes “in a matter of days.”
Discussion