Nagaland minimum wage revision awaits Cabinet nod as Finance Department re-examines proposed wage rates.
KOHIMA — The proposed revision of minimum wages in Nagaland is awaiting Cabinet approval, with the Finance Department currently re-examining the proposal before it is placed before the Cabinet.
The issue was raised by MLA Nuklutoshi during question hour on Thursday in the Ninth session of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly. He pointed out that the existing minimum wages were inadequate in view of the rising cost of living and comparatively higher wage rates in other northeastern states.
As per a government notification issued in November 2019, with effect from June 14, 2019, the minimum wage was fixed at INR 176 per day for unskilled workers, INR 210 for skilled Grade-II workers and INR 235 for skilled Grade-I workers
Nuklutoshi said the rates were significantly lower than those prevailing in neighbouring states. Citing Assam as an example, he said its minimum wages had been revised to INR 402 per day for unskilled, INR 445 for semi-skilled, INR 509 for skilled and INR 563 for highly skilled workers with effect from October 2023.
He urged the government to undertake an immediate comprehensive revision of minimum wages, introduce an appropriate variable dearness allowance linked to inflation and establish a mechanism for periodic revision to protect workers from the rising cost of living.
Also read: Class 8 minimum qualification for Nagaland Police constables — Y Patton
He also suggested that separate wage rates could be considered for government and private-sector workers if the financial implications of a uniform revision posed a concern for the government.
Responding to the issue, Deputy Chief Minister TR Zeliang acknowledged that wage rates in Nagaland were comparatively low.
He informed the House that, following recommendations of the Nagaland Human Rights Commission, the State Advisory Board had met on March 12, 2025, to consider the revision and fixation of minimum wages in the state.
The Board proposed revised daily wages of INR 297 for unskilled workers, INR 355 for semi-skilled workers, INR 400 for skilled workers and INR 450 for highly skilled workers
Zeliang said the draft recommendation of the State Advisory Board was submitted to the Law and Justice Department for vetting and was vetted on May 16, 2025. The Finance Department subsequently concurred with the proposal on June 19, 2025.
A Cabinet memorandum was prepared and forwarded to the Cabinet on August 12, 2025. However, following the Cabinet meeting on March 23, 2026, the Finance Department was directed to re-examine the Labour Department's proposal for revision of minimum wages.
Zeliang said the proposal would be placed before the Cabinet again after the Finance Department submits its observations. He assured the House that the matter would be settled at the earliest.
He maintained that the proposed rates, although still comparatively lower, would bring Nagaland closer to wage levels prevailing in other northeastern states.