CANACONA
Stating that Anganwadi workers have been risking their lives to work for communities, the health minister said the State government is strongly considering an increase in retirement age, retirement benefits, the rectification of remuneration and pension to all Anganwadi workers in the State.
“All four files are being simultaneously moved before the government after these issues were discussed with Chief Minister Pramod Sawant during a general discussion after the cabinet meeting on Wednesday,” said the health minister while addressing a function in Canacona to felicitate Anganwadi workers for their contribution as frontline workers during Covid Pandemic.
“The chief minister has agreed in principle to a proposal to increase the retirement age of Anganwadi workers from 60 to 62 years and to increase retirement benefits from present Rs 3 lakh by another Rs 2 lakh.”
“The chief minister has also agreed in principle to rectify the remuneration of Rs 1,500 to benefit all Anganwadi workers. While these files will be moved, we will also move another file to introduce pension to Anganwadi teachers and helpers.”
“Let the finance department examine these proposals, but we are indebted to services by Anganwadi workers and the government cannot deny or ignore the sacrifices of these workers,” he said.
The minister also mentioned the services by Anganwadi workers where they delivered rations to pregnant women and lactating mothers during the Covid pandemic and further said the government is committed to modernising all 1,262 Anganwadi buildings, some of which are in rented premises.
He said the State government plans to introduce the latest 2D Echo-Ultrasound Machines, especially in distant government health centres.
“I had already proposed the purchase of 12 such machines, each costing Rs 12 lakh under CSR,” he added.
Earlier, Deputy Speaker and Canacona MLA Isidore Fernandes lauded Anganwadi workers for their selfless contribution during the Covid pandemic and demanded pension and financial safety to the aged Anganwadi workers.
“These Anganwadi teachers and helpers after putting 25, 30, 35 years for the service of others and deserve financial protection by way of these benefits,” said Fernandes.
Shrishthal Sarpanch Datta Velip, Director of DWCD, Deepali Naik, Deputy Director DWCD, and CDPOs were among those present at the function.
