Cutting across party lines, legislators in Arunachal Pradesh on Monday supported a resolution to revise the minimum wages of labourers in the state, but it was later withdrawn after the government assured the cabinet would take up the matter.

Moving a private member resolution in the assembly, former Chief Minister Nabam Tuki urged the government to revise the minimum wages of casual/contingency workers to Rs 600 per day or Rs 18,000 per month in view the all-round rise in the price of essential commodities and high inflation.

The demand came days after Delhi's Aam Aadmi Party proposal for a 37 per cent hike in minimum wages for labourers was approved by Lt Governor Anil Baijal.

People's Party of Arunachal legislator Takam Pario, supporting the resolution, said that as the labourers are the backbone of development, their needs should be given priority.

Several others who participated in the discussion supported the resolution but suggested that the matter should be studied before passing it in the house.

Supporting the veteran Congress legislator's resolution, Chief Minister Pema Khandu however said it needs to be looked into and formulated keeping in view the resource availability in the state.

He also said that the matter needs to be discussed in the cabinet.

"The government is pro-active for welfare of poorer sections of the society," Khandu said while urging Tuki to withdraw the resolution with the assurance that his cabinet will examine it.

Labour and Employment Minister Kumar Waii said that the matter pertaining to the wages of the casual workers needs to be carefully examined before being passing by the house.

As per the Labour Act, 1948, the wages of the labour will be revised only in five years time, he said, noting the last revision took place in April 2016.

He also noted that compared to other northeastern states, Arunachal Pradesh pays the highest wages to labourers.

Tuki then withdrew the resolution following the government's assurance.

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