Bhubaneswar: In a Diwali bonanza for all Anganwadi workers, the government Tuesday announced a hike in their salaries. The workers were on strike for the last 36 days demanding a hike.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said that Anganwadi workers will now get `6,000 per month against the existing `4,000 while Mini Anganwadi workers will get `4,125 against the existing `2,750 and helpers will get `3,000 against the existing `2000 per month.
Sources said that this will benefit over one lakh Anganwadi workers and will put an additional burden of `240 crore on the state’s exchequer per annum.
Patnaik said that Anganwadi workers will also get insurance cover for health, life, disability and scholarship. The government will pay the premiums. The workers will also be covered by the CM’s Relief Fund (CMRF).
In his statement the Chief Minister said, “My government has always given priority to Anganwadi workers, helpers and mini-Anganwadi workers. They have a significant role in the care of women and children.” The announcement came shortly after a section of Anganwadi activists headed by BJD leader Subash Singh met Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at the Secretariat.
The section affiliated to Biju Shramik Shamukhya also called off its stir after getting an assurance from the CM, while the protest by other group is continuing.
The Anganwadi Workers Association, affiliated to BMS said they will continue their stir till the government increases salaries to at least `8,000. Though the government promised to give a raise of `4,000 to `6,000, it gave a hike of only `2,000, said Association president Soudamini Das.
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