PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
Starting from the new financial year, Anganwadi workers will receive a minimum retirement assistance of Rs one lakh upon superannuation. This decision was taken at a meeting presided over by the State Women Empowerment and Child Development (WECD) minister, Rekha Arya on Monday. Several other schemes were also reviewed during this meeting.
Arya said that Anganwadi workers currently receive sums between Rs 35,000 and Rs 40,000 upon retirement. “My department kept on advocating for an increased amount for some time. To facilitate this, Anganwadi workers are required to contribute Rs 300 per month. After obtaining approval from Anganwadi workers’ unions, we issued the instruction. Starting April 1 next year, all Anganwadi workers will benefit from this initiative upon retirement,” she stated.
Additionally, the meeting addressed the issue of promotion of Anganwadi workers to the posts of supervisors. Arya informed that a notification for the promotion of 88 currently vacant positions would be issued within a week.
She further said that a total of 504 proposals from six districts have been approved under the Single Women’s Self-Employment Scheme. “Applications from other districts are still being processed. Instructions have been given to organise a programme in the first week of January next to disburse funds to the 504 approved applicants,” she added.
The applications received for this year’s Nanda Gaura Yojana were also reviewed during the meeting. This year, over 45,000 applications have been submitted under this scheme, marking the highest number so far. Application deadline is December 20 and so the number of applications may increase further. She instructed the officials concerned to release funds to eligible candidates around January 15.
Arya also spoke about the launch of a scheme next year aimed at providing economic, social and emotional support to elderly women in remote areas of the State. “Officials have been directed to implement this initiative with Rs eight crore currently allocated for the implementation of the programme,” she said.
