Anganwadi workers on stir after pay hike

BHUBANESWAR: The State Government on Tuesday hiked the monthly honorarium of anganwadi workers and helpers by around 50 per cent following their 36-day agitation to press their 17-point charter of demands, including regularisation of services.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik made the announcement following his meeting with agitating anganwadi workers at the State Secretariat. However, anganwadi workers are still on a dharna as they were not satisfied with the announcement made by the Chief Minister.

After the meeting with the anganwadi workers in the evening, the Chief Minister announced that the honorarium for anganwadi workers has been increased from `4000 to `6000 per month while mini-anganwadi workers will get `4125. The honorarium of mini-anganwadi workers was `2750 per month. The anganwadi helpers would be getting `3000 per month.

The Chief Minister said his Government always prioritised the interests of anganwadi workers as they played a significant role in the healthcare sector. “The workers and helpers will also be eligible for insurance coverage and scholarships. The Government will bear their premiums. They will also get benefits under the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund,” he said.

Besides, a grievance redressal forum will be constituted to hear the grievances of the workers. Infrastructure at the anganwadi centres will also be developed, the Chief Minister said and added that importance will be given to toilet facilities for the children of the centres.

All meetings regarding anganwadi projects will be held on a pre-decided date, he said. Earlier in the day, anganwadi workers under the Biju Shramik Sammukhya went in a procession and held a public meeting where an 11-point charter of demands was read out. More than 200 workers met the Chief Minister under the leadership of Sammukhya president Raju Singh and general secretary Subas Singh to discuss their demands. However, Soudamini Das, president of the All Odisha Anganwadi Ladies Workers Association which is affilliated to Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, said the anganwadi workers will continue their agitation.

She alleged that during the discussion, the Chief Minister had assured to hike the honorarium of the anganwadi workers to `8000 to `10,000 per month. But when the official announcement was made by the Chief Minister, only `2000 was hiked per month.