PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
Anganwadi workers have expressed their disagreement regarding the plan to connect 14,000 Anganwadi centres with a biometric system of attendance. In light of this, they have submitted a letter opposing the implementation of this system at Anganwadi centres to chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.
The president of the Anganwadi Workers Association Rekha Negi said that they learned through the media that a proposal was being made to connect 14,000 centres with the biometric system. Consequently, she wrote a letter to the CM indicating the widespread anger among Anganwadi workers about this matter.
Negi emphasised that while the government aims to link all activities with the biometric system, it must also consider the circumstances under which Anganwadi workers operate their centres and support their families. She noted that the government had initiated a scheme in 1975 for women’s empowerment and child development, aimed at empowering widows.
Additionally, she highlighted that the government has placed the burden of various departments on these workers, expecting them to manage multiple responsibilities while receiving a low honorarium and no travel allowances. “How can the government claim to empower women when it imposes such demands?” she remarked.
She said that if the government insists on tying Anganwadi workers to the biometric system while assigning them additional departmental responsibilities, they will strongly oppose this implementation. All Anganwadi workers have warned the government about the consequences of such political strategies. If the government proceeds to enforce a biometric system under these conditions, Anganwadi workers will limit their work to their respective centres only, she said.
Negi added that if the government forces Anganwadi workers to comply, they will be compelled to take to the streets in protest.
