Terms relaxed to appoint anganwari workers’ kin

Chandigarh, November 24

Punjab Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Aruna Chaudhary on Tuesday announced that the conditions to appoint relatives of Anganwadi workers and helpers on compassionate grounds had been relaxed.

During a three-hour marathon meeting with the representatives of Anganwadi Workers Union at the Punjab Civil Secretariat, she also assured to meet all their legitimate demands.

Chaudhary said the existing condition of appointment on compassionate grounds was to give preference only to widow daughter-in-law of the deceased Anganwadi worker and helper, which would now be replaced to any dependent concerned. Earlier, workers and helpers received ex-gratia after the age of 70, while their retirement age was 65. Now, they could claim ex-gratia anytime between the age of 60 to 65.

The Cabinet Minister also announced to reduce the condition of graduation for promotion to Anganwadi worker status to Class XII, coupled with the experience of five years.

Chaudhary also apprised that Anganwadi workers would be equipped with smartphones, which would have dedicated software for smooth field work. — TNS