The Mamata Banerjee government will hire a mahout and a patawala (assistant) as contractual staff for each pet elephant of the state forest department in three reserve forests of north Bengal.

The decision comes a day after mahouts and patawalas in Alipurduar's Jaldapara National Park, who were daily wage earners, stopped working, demanding permanent jobs and a pay hike.

“The state government has approved a proposal to engage a mahout and a patawala for each of the 113 pet elephants we have in three reserve forests of this region. They will work as contractual staff on a monthly salary. In a couple of weeks, we will complete the process. Those working on a daily-rated basis (as mahout and patawala) will now be contractual employees,” said Rajendra Jakhar, chief conservator of forests (wildlife, north).

The department, sources said, has 113 pet elephants across Buxa Tiger Reserve, Jaldapara National Park and Gorumara National Park. The animals are used for tourist safaris and patrol. Jaldapara has 85 pet elephants, Gorumara 22 and Buxa six.

On Friday, 145 mahouts and patawalas stopped working in Jaldapara, saying their daily wages, which added up to Rs 7,240 a month, were too meagre. After Saturday's decision, the ceasework was lifted. Foresters have promised them a pay hike, but the amount hasn't been fixed.