The government has decided to increase the allowances between 50 and 75 percent for engineers and other technical staff mobilised in 14 quake-hit districts. The Cabinet meeting on Thursday decided to increase the allowances based on the performance of the engineers, overseers and sub-overseers based in the district headquarters by 50 percent while those posted in the rural areas by 75 percent.

Around 1,200 technical staff mobilised in 11 out of the 14 severely affected districts had resigned en masse last Tuesday demanding a hike in allowances, proper accommodation and health insurance.

A meeting was held on Sunday between the government officials and the protesting workers to discuss the demands. 

After getting assurances from the government bodies of addressing their demands, the protesting technical staff decided to return to work from Monday.