Friday, 16 February 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN
The Anganwadi workers of the State have demanded that the government must increase their monthly allowance. They staged a protest on the route to the secretariat in support of this demand on Thursday. Anganwadi workers from across the State gathered in Dehradun to raise their concerns over the insufficient monthly allowance, which is causing financial difficulties and making it challenging for them to support their families.
Anganwadi worker Sheela Devi stated that she has been working as an Anganwadi worker in Pauri for five years. She said that the State government has taken no initiative to improve the lives of Anganwadi workers. Further, both the Central and State governments provide a very low monthly allowance, which makes it very difficult for them to raise their children. “I urge the government to consider the interests of Anganwadi workers and increase the monthly allowance. Otherwise, we will not support the government during the upcoming Lok Sabha election,” she said.
Anganwadi worker from Tehri, Geeta Negi claimed that the current monthly allowance is not enough to support her family. The government does not provide an adequate amount to Anganwadi helpers after their retirement, she added.
“We, as Anganwadi workers, typically receive a monthly payment of Rs 9,000 which we are expected to use to support our entire family. The government prioritises the employment of widows or divorced women when hiring Anganwadi workers. However, they fail to acknowledge that such women are often left to handle all responsibilities on their own, and the monthly allowance provided is insufficient for their needs,” Anganwadi worker Sunita Kumari said.
She further said that the government assigns multiple tasks to Anganwadi workers but doesn’t take adequate steps to improve their condition. The Angwadi workers will close gates of all Anganwadi centres in the State to protest if the demand is not met, she added.
