Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Sunday doubled the monthly honorarium of Anganwadi workers and assistants to Rs 10,000 and Rs 5,000 respectively.
He was speaking at a orientation workshop held at his official residence for these workers who had gathered from all parts of the State. In another announcement, Chouhan said that the retirement age of Anganwadi workers would now be 62 years, at par with that of State government employees.
The Chief Minister urged the anganwadi workers and sahayikas to ensure best management of the anganwadis and work hard to free Madhya Pradesh of malnutrition. Chouhan was addressing the orientation workshop organised for anganwadi workers and sahayikas who came in large numbers to attend this from all over the State.
Chouhan called upon the anganwadi workers and sahayikas to extend support in facing the challenge of removing malnutrition from Madhya Pradesh. He assured that no anganwadi worker or sahayika will be removed without investigation. If an anganwadi sahayika applies for anganwadi worker’s post, she will be given preference. Chouhan also announced the Deendayal Poshan Award. A sum of Rs one lakh will be given to anganwadi workers and Rs 75,000 will be given to anganwadi sahayika post retirement. In case of their sudden death, their families will be provided a financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh. Besides, their daughter or sister will be given preference of 10 marks during selection as worker/sahayika.
Chouhan said that anganwadi workers and sahayikas will be given three awards for each project for best performance. The anganwadi worker will be given first prize of Rs 7,100, second prize of Rs 5,100 and third prize of Rs 2,100. Similarly for sahayikas the first prize will be of Rs 5,100, second of Rs 2,100 and third of Rs 1,100.
Chouhan said that women labourers working in the unorganized sector will be given Rs 4,000 during pregnancy and Rs 12,000 post -delivery. The anganwadi workers will be responsible to get these women registered and get the amount deposited in their accounts.
On the occasion Women and Child Development Minister Archana Chitnis said that Chief Minister Chouhan has established a new record in the field of service and development in the whole country. He said that anganwadi workers fulfill many big responsibilities at the lower level. They have completed the campaign against anaemia successfully. Apart from this they have also completed the responsibility of delivering health services and other government services with dedication. These workers play a significant role in the implementation of prominent schemes at the lower level.