Big news for Anganwadi workers of Uttarakhand: Dhami government agreed to increase honorarium.

Dehradun: In Uttarakhand, the long standing deadlock between Anganwadi workers, who have been vocal about their demands, and the state government finally seems to be ending. After meeting Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, Anganwadi workers, servants and mini employees organization have taken a big decision to postpone their strike. In this important meeting held at the Secretariat, the Chief Minister not only listened to the problems of the workers seriously, but also gave a clear assurance of ‘respectable increase’ in their honorarium.

In fact, for some time, Anganwadi workers were agitating for their various demands, which was affecting the schemes related to women and child development at the grassroots level. On Saturday, a delegation led by the organization’s state president Rekha Negi met Chief Minister Dhami and told him about their pain. The Chief Minister showed a very positive attitude during this period, after which the organization announced withdrawal of the movement.

Government serious on ‘respectable’ increase in honorarium

During the meeting, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami appreciated the role of Anganwadi workers and said that these workers have an important contribution in the development of the state and the nutrition and health of children. The CM assured the delegation that the state government is considering a respectable increase in their honorarium very seriously. He instructed the officials to speed up the process so that the workers can get relief soon.

The delegation seemed satisfied with this attitude of the Chief Minister. The leaders present in the meeting said that they have faith in the intentions of the government and they do not want to become a hindrance in the development of the state. It is being told that the proposal to increase the honorarium can now move towards the final stages.

Help has also been sought from the central government

An important technical aspect in this entire exercise is the assistance received from the Central Government. In the meeting, Secretary (Women Empowerment and Child Development) informed that the State Government has also made a special request to the Government of India regarding increase in the honorarium of Anganwadi workers. Since the Center and the State have stake in these schemes, there will be scope for an even better increase in the honorarium after getting the green signal from the Centre.

The Secretary said that its complete blueprint is being prepared at the departmental level. CM Dhami clarified that his government’s aim is to protect the interests of the employees working at the last mile. In this high level meeting held at the Secretariat, Chief Minister’s Secretary Shailesh Bagoli, Women Empowerment and Child Development Department Secretary Chandresh Kumar and Departmental Director B.L. Veteran officers like Rana were also present.

There will be great relief after the strike ends

The government and administration have heaved a sigh of relief with the decision of Anganwadi workers to postpone the strike. In a hilly state like Uttarakhand, Anganwadi centers are not just pre-schools for children, but they are also the largest centers for health and vaccination of pregnant women. Due to the strike, the implementation of government schemes was being affected in many districts.

According to local people, if the government soon issues concrete orders on the demands of Anganwadi workers, it will be a big victory for thousands of women of the state. At present, CM Dhami’s ‘positive’ assurance has brought a smile on the faces of Anganwadi workers and they are now preparing to return to their work.