Govt hikes allowances of anganwadi workers, awaits Lt Governor’s nod

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 22

The government has decided to double the allowances of anganwadi workers and helpers in the national Capital, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said today.

However, the announcement failed to placate the workers and helpers, who are on strike for nearly a month and agitating near Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's residence, demanding a pay hike.

A cabinet decision has been taken to raise the allowances of the workers and helpers to Rs 10,170 and Rs 5,089, respectively, Sisodia said. The decision will be notified only after Lt Governor Anil Baijal's approval, he said.

They are currently paid Rs 5,000 and Rs 2,500, respectively.

Of the total amount, Rs 500 will be mobile and internet component in case of workers while the same would be Rs 250 for helpers, Kejriwal tweeted.

A spokesperson for the Anganwadi Worker - Helper Association, which is leading the protest, said they will take out a march on Monday from Ramlila Maidan to Jantar Mantar over the issue.

"The government is trying to buy time. Earlier, it used to say that not all files require LG's approval. We fear the latest announcement is also eyewash," the spokesperson said.

There are around 11,000 anganwadi centres in the city, and each centre has one worker and one helper, a government official said.

The cabinet decision came in wake of several inspections made by the Deputy Chief Minister to the anganwadis. Apart from the inspections, the Chief Minister also met with hundreds of anganwadi workers and helpers in batches at his residence. They had raised the issue of honorarium and mobile and internet charges in their meeting with the Chief Minister apart from other demands.