PANAJI
The Goa government has amended the Retirement Benefit Scheme for Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) and Anganwadi Helpers (AWHs), extending the retirement age to 62 years with retrospective effect from May 1, 2024. The decision, notification of which was released on Thursday, speaks about providing enhanced financial security and clarity for the Anganwadi workforce.
Under the revised scheme, both AWWs and AWHs, who are honorary workers under the Anganwadi Services Scheme, will now retire at 62 years of age, subject to medical fitness certification from a government medical hospital beyond the age of 60.
Those reaching retirement age on or after April 30, 2024 will be affected by the new rules as the retirement would always take effect on this day of the calendar year.
“The age of retirement of the AWWs and AWHs shall stand to be 62 years, with effect from, May 1, 2024 who would have retired on April 30, 2024 and onwards, subject to the clearance of medical fitness test from the Government Medical Hospital beyond the age of 60 years. The AWWs and AWHs who attain the age of retirement thereafter shall stand retired on April 30. If the birth month is from January to April, then the retirement will be on April 30 of the respective Calendar year and if the birth month is from May to December then the retirement will be on April 30 of the successive year,” reads the notification.
On reaching the age of superannuation, Anganwadi Workers will be entitled to a retirement benefit of Rs 5 lakh, while Anganwadi Helpers will receive Rs 3 lakh. In cases where the worker is found medically unfit at 60, the same benefit will be provided upon retirement at that age.
The amendment also allows for voluntary retirement for those who have completed a minimum of 25 years of service. To avail this, the worker must submit a three-month notice to the department, which must be approved by the Head of Department (HoD).
“The retirement shall become effective on the expiry of the notice period, unless before the expiry thereof, permission for retirement is refused by the HoD. If the Voluntary retirement is applied on medical grounds then the notice period need not be insisted upon and her request shall be accepted immediately,” it said adding that the notice can be withdrawn with the permission of the HoD before the intended date of retirement and it is the HoD’s discretion to accept the notice of less than three months also.
In the event of the sudden and unexpected death of an Anganwadi Worker or Helper while in service, the retirement benefit amount of Rs 5 lakh (for AWWs) and Rs 3 lakh (for AWHs) will be paid to the nominee of the deceased.
