Punjab Government is considering the framing of policies and creation of infrastructure amenable to the anganwadi workers and helpers “as an article of faith” and it is fully committed to their welfare.
The assurance to this effect was given by the state Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Aruna Chaudhary during her meeting with the representatives of various anganwadi workers’ unions — All Punjab Anganwadi Mulazam Union, Anganwadi Mulazam Union Punjab (CITU) and All India Anganwadi Workers and Helpers Union, Punjab (AITUC).
Giving a patient hearing to all the demands put forward by the Unions, the Minister said that she was all for the release of emoluments of anganwadi workers as well as the helpers besides creche workers in a timely and regular fashion.
Regarding the demand of ensuring sending children of three to six years of age admitted into the government schools in pre-primary classes to the anganwadi centres, the Minister assured to take up the matter soon with the School Education Department.
Chaudhary, regarding the demand pertaining to extending the Social Security and Healthcare benefits such as ESI, PPF to the Anganwadi Workers and Helpers, said that she would take up the matter emphatically with the Health Secretary.
In response to the demand of providing financial benefit of Rs 200 to every worker and Rs 100 to every helper assisting the pregnant women filling up form and other formalities, the Minister gave assurance to consider the issue with sympathy and take it up with the Finance Department.
The Minister also divulged that as concerns various other demands advanced by the Unions’ such as the providing of increased emoluments to the Anganwadi Workers at the rate of Rs 1,500 and helpers at the rate of Rs 750, fixing travel allowance at Rs 200, taking eight blocks out of the ambit of the Advisory Board and Child Welfare Board Council and bringing them under the State Government, announcing of mini centres as the main ones, recruitment of supervisors from amongst the anganwadi workers only and mutual transfers of the workers as well as helpers, all these would be considered with an open and positive mind.
Chaudhary also directed that the quality of food and ration items at all the centers must be maintained and that no laxity on this count would be tolerated.
Directing the convening of such meetings quarterly, the Minister also announced the changing of the times of all the anganwadi centres from 7:30 am to 10 am till July 15 in order to give staff some respite from the scorching summer heat.