Govt urged to execute several schemes for Anganwadi Workers

| Staff REPORTER |

ITANAGAR, Apr 30:  All India Anganwadi Workers and Helpers Federation (AIAWHF) general secretary Dr Hem Lata urged the govt of Arunachal Pradesh to implement various welfare schemes and benefits meant for Anganwadi workers, the work force behind implementing ICDS projects successfully all over the country.

Addressing the first ever state level conference of All Arunachal Pradesh Anganwadi Workers and Helpers Union (AAPAWHU) at Solung Mopin ground here today, Hem Lata exhorted the gathering of more than 1000 Anganwadi workers and helpers coming from all the 17 districts to put pressure on the state govt to implement all such schemes and facilities meant for them.

Anguished at knowing the fact that maternity leave facility and many other benefits were not being provided to the Awangwadi Workers of Arunachal Pradesh, she said these are being enjoyed by AW and Helpers of other states, including neighbouringAssam. There is also provision of appointing an Anganwadi worker with qualification of class X pass and 10 years of service as AW to the post of Supervisor, she informed.

Hem Lata said that AIAWHF has been demanding for recognizing Anganwadi workers as regular govt employee, providing minimum wages of Rs 10,000 (presently Anganwadi workers are given Rs 3000 as salary/month), granting pension and handling all affairs of AWs by the respective state govt instead of NGO as has been presently done.

The Federation has also been demanding for recognizing AWs, who are regarded as next to mother in moulding child’s future, as Grade ‘C’ employee and Helpers as Grade ‘D’.

But, the Central govt is yet to respond to the demands citing paucity of fund, Hem Lata informed. She suggested the AAPAWHU to get affiliation under AIAWHF to further strengthen the Federation which is working for the cause of the AWs and helpers all over India.

In her address, Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Women (APSWC) Chairperson Gumri Ringu called upon the AW and Helpers to rise to the occasion and put pressure on the govt for fulfillment of their demands and avail the benefits granted to them by the Centre. “Even mother does not breast-feed her child unless he/she cries,” she said and assured to take up their grievances with the state govt.

While lamented over less representation of woman in the State Assembly, she said that almost half (fifty percent) of the state’s total population comprises of women, but there is still a very few women representative in the Assembly and exhorted the women folks to come out of their shackles of male domination and march ahead at par with their male counterparts.

AAPAWHU president Jalley Sonam urged the AWs and Helpers to perform their assigned duty with utmost sincerity and dedication while saying that one should not take wages sitting at a place other than the place where she is posted.

Reiterating his commitment to working for the poor and workers, Sonam said that the union was formed for the welfare of its members and taking up their grievances with the authority for redressal. He appealed all to respect the Awangwadi Workers and Helpers, the main work-force in implementation of ICDS projects and progammes in the state.