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Himachal Pradesh CM lauds efforts of anganwadi workers during  Covid-19 pandemic

The anganwadi workers made over 5 lakh masks, but some still complain of inadequate pay

anganwadi

As India grapples with the coronavirus pandemic, frontline workers have emerged as heroes, ensuring that the citizens remain safe during these trying times. Of these, the ones who have played a major role, going door-to-door, sensitizing people about the risks and precautions to be taken, are the anganwadi workers.

In light of their tireless efforts, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur lauded these anganwadi workers for controlling the spread of the pandemic in the state and said that the government was spending Rs. 586.82 crore on the overall development of women and children, The Tribune reported.

 

 

The CM held a video conference with anganwadi workers from different cities in the state and said that not only were the anganwadi workers educating citizens regarding the use of masks and social distancing, but they had also played a commendable role in making the government’s Nigah programme a success by ensuring that people do not jump quarantine.

 

Apart from that, he added that the anganwadi workers had played a major role in finding active cases where they covered a population of 70 lakh and collected data of people with influenza-like symptoms. Janta TV reported that 4,021 and 4,083 anganwadi workers contributed in the active case finding (ACF) mission and the cluster containment survey (CCS) respectively. It was also reported that anganwadi workers made and distributed 5.68 lakh masks to the people of the state. For this, the CM hailed the anganwadi workers from Hamirpur for their efforts.

 

 

 

 

Janta TV also reported that the CM announced that for their commendable work, the state has now increased the honorarium paid to anganwadi workers to Rs. 500 per month. It has also increased the honorarium to the tune of Rs. 300 per month for mini anganwadi workers and anganwadi assistants. Currently, anganwadi workers are being paid Rs. 6,800 per month opposed to Rs. 6,300 earlier and mini anganwadi workers are being paid Rs. 4,900 as opposed to Rs. 4,600 earlier. Anganwadi assistants are now being paid Rs. 3,500 instead of Rs. 3,200.

An anganwadi worker, Sonia, who joined the video conference held by the CM said that they completed the ACF mission in Kangra within seven days and the mobile phones they were given by the government came to their rescue. She also said that they helped provide rations to the needy with help of the panchayat at their homes.

Anganwadi workers from Mandi and Shimla told the CM that apart from relief efforts and educating people about protecting themselves, they also helped counsel families who witnessed cases of domestic violence.

While anganwadi workers have been appreciated for their efforts in the state, all has not been hunky dory. In April, speaking to the Hindu Businessline, an ASHA worker on the condition of anonymity had expressed the disparity between how tough their jobs were and how little they were being compensated for it. She had said, “We are roped in for election duty, Aadhaar registration and now Covid-19 data collection. I have 1,400 people in my anganwadi and I am doing a door-to-door survey of each household to find out if anyone has visited a foreign country recently or suffers from respiratory ailments of specific kinds. I am also supposed to track vaccination schedules and lactating mothers. Then I am supposed to upload all this information online. I get paid ₹6,500 a month. This is less than even the minimum wage which is about ₹300 a day. We don’t mind the work but at least we should get paid.”

The Anganwadi workers have been battling for a minimum wage of Rs. 18,000 per month, garnering support from the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) and other outfits affiliated to the Communist Party of India (CPI – M). They complain that the salaries promised to them don’t come on time and sometimes they have to go months without getting their pay. At such times, they selflessly contribute from their own pockets – for charts, toys and other items, for they love the job they do. Not just this, they also prepare food and ensure the kids get a variety in their diet.

Last year, The Wire had also reported of them being overburdened with tasks like Booth Level Officer (BLO) duties, surveys, maintenance of innumerable registers and even tasks that do not come under the ICDS.

Last year, speaking to SabrangIndia, Armaity Irani from the Anganwadi Karmachari Sangathana (Maharashtra) had said, “Currently, the Centre pays Rs. 4,500 to workers and Rs. 2,250 to helpers. There is also a disparity here for some governments do not contribute to salaries or benefits at all. The unions are now demanding a minimum wage of Rs. 21,000 per month for all anganwadi workers from the Central government.”

The anganwadi workers who work 24×7 are still awaiting regularization but don’t see that happening as the wages itself don’t come on time. Their fight, even before the pandemic was hard and continues to remain so.

Related:

Reports of glaring vacancies of ASHA workers in Covid-19 hotspots, no pay emerge

ASHA Workers on Covid-19 duty demand safety gear, healthcare, insurance and better wages

 

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