Udupi: State minister for Women and Child Welfare, Kannada and Culture and Udupi district in-charge minister Jayamala said that she would try to increase the honorarium paid to the gram panchayat members by bringing the matter to the notice of officials concerned in the State government.

She was speaking after inaugurating the sports meet organised for the elected representatives of rural and urban local bodies by Kotathattu gram panchayat and Dr Shivaram Karanth Prathishtana at Kota Viveka College Grounds here, on Saturday.

The minister said sincere attempts would be made to provide better facilities to the panchayat workers.

“The honorarium paid to the gram panchayat member will be increased from Rs 1,000 to Rs 3,000 per month and the state government is keen on the proposal. Along with this, the honorarium paid to taluk panchayat and zilla panchayat members will be also increased,” she said.

The minister said that it was important for the elected representatives to take part in sports activities which would keep them mentally and physically fit.

MP Shobha Karandlaje said that gram panchayats had been demanding for more grants and a proposal would be submitted to the central government in this regard.

As many as 514 teams participated in various sports event.