Chandigarh, November 18 -Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal, while giving a big gift to Anganwadi workers and Helpers, made several announcements including an increase in monthly honorarium and, an increase in the amount they receive on their retirement. Haryana’s remuneration for Anganwadi Workers will now be the highest in the country.

While interacting with the Anganwadi workers through audio conferencing here today, the Chief Minister announced that the remuneration of Anganwadi Workers will be increased to Rs 14,000 per month with over 10 years of experience, to Rs 12,500 per month for Anganwadi Workers with upto 10 years’ experience and Mini-Anganwadi Workers. He also announced and increase of Rs 7500 per month for Anganwadi Helpers. The interaction was a part of CM ki Vishesh Charcha programme.

Presently an amount of Rs 12,661 per month is given to the Anganwadi Workers with over 10 years’ experience, Rs 11,401 per month for Anganwadi Workers with upto 10 years’ experience and Mini-Anganwadi Workers and Rs 6,781 for Anganwadi Helpers.

Retirement benefits doubled

The Chief Minister said that at present a total of 23,486 Anganwadi workers, 489 mini Anganwadi workers and 21,732 Anganwadi helpers are employed in the state. He shared that upon retirement Anganwadi Workers receive an amount of Rs 1 lakh and Anganwadi Helpers receive an amount of Rs 50,000. However, now, the amount payable on retirement of Anganwadi Workers will be increased to Rs 2 lakhs and the amount payable to Anganwadi Helpers is being increased to Rs 1 lakh.

The Chief Minister said that as of now, the Anganwadi Workers and Anganwadi Helpers presently receive a uniform allowance of Rs 800 per annum for two uniform sets and now the uniform allowance is being increased to Rs 1500 per annum.

25 percent posts of supervisor will be filled from among Anganwadi workers
The Chief Minister said that 25 percent of posts of Supervisors would be kept aside for promotion on merit-cum-seniority basis from amongst Anganwadi Workers with 10 years of experience based on eligibility and minimum qualifications required for the post of Supervisor. The promotion will be based on a written examination to be conducted by the Government. It will be ensured that the examination for promotion will be held by February 2024, he said.

4000 additional Bal Vatikas will be opened

The Chief Minister said that the Government will establish an additional 4000 Bal Vatikas by converting existing Anganwadis and moving them to the Government Schools in the village so that preschool (nursery) education is integrated into school education in accordance with the National Education Policy. This will be done in a phased manner depending on the availability of rooms in Government Schools, shared Sh. Manohar Lal.

Anganwadi workers play a significant role in nurturing the childhood

Highlighting the pivotal role of Anganwadi workers in nurturing and shaping the cultural development of children, Sh. Manohar Lal said that a person's most significant developmental phase occurs during childhood, he said that the foundation for an individual's character and personality is laid during this critical period.
“When the natural curiosity of children is guided in the right direction, it paves the way for them to become responsible and conscientious citizens in the future. For the upbringing, knowledge enhancement, and strengthening of children, three aspects are essential: nutrition, immunization, and cleanliness. The direct connection of health is not only with nutrition but also with maintaining cleanliness before eating. Therefore, creating awareness about cleanliness in children from an early age is also the responsibility of Anganwadi workers,” said Sh. Manohar Lal.

He said that Prime Minister, Sh. Narendra Modi, recognizing the importance of nutrition in children, has implemented the Poshan Abhiyan across the country. Under this campaign, the Poshan app has been launched, which you are all familiar with, shared the Chief Minister. He directed the Anganwadi workers to update the data on this app daily.

The Chief Minister urged Anganwadi workers to update the weight data of every child on the health card every month and conduct a survey of every family coming to their areas once a year.