MAPUSA
To enhance the infrastructure of anganwadi centres across Goa, Women and Child Development Minister Vishwajit Rane has proposed adopting a cluster-based facility model similar to that implemented in Rajasthan through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
Speaking in the Goa Legislative Assembly, Rane urged MLAs to identify land in their constituencies for setting up government-owned anganwadi centres, citing difficulties in maintaining private rented premises.
Rane assured that the government is committed to improving conditions for anganwadi workers, stating that their honorarium is increased every two to five years.
Additionally, he agreed to examine the feasibility of providing insurance coverage for workers, following a suggestion from an MLA.
“Just like Rajasthan, which has developed cluster-based facilities, we can adopt the same model in Goa. The government will have to take a policy decision on this,” Rane said.
Rajasthan’s Nand Ghars, developed by the Vedanta Foundation in collaboration with the government, serve as modernised anganwadis offering early childhood education, nutrition, and healthcare services.
The discussion was initiated by Mayem MLA Premendra Shet, who questioned whether the government had plans to regularise anganwadi workers' services. Shet highlighted that Goa has 1,272 anganwadi centres, many operating in inadequate private facilities with minimal resources.
“The anganwadi workers have been working with bare minimum facilities and low incomes. The government must ensure they are provided with a better and more conducive working environment,” Shet stated during the Question Hour.
Fatorda MLA Vijai Sardesai criticised the disparity in honorariums, stating that Goa’s anganwadi workers receive lower compensation compared to their counterparts in other states. He demanded a revision of their wages to ensure fair pay.
Benaulim MLA Venzy Viegas accused the government of making repeated assurances but failing to act. “There are seven anganwadis in my constituency and I have repeatedly requested the minister to upgrade their facilities. However, no action has been taken, resulting in a decline in children’s attendance,” Viegas said.
He proposed a seven-point programme to improve anganwadi conditions, including: Wage revision, job security through regularisation, retirement benefits, insurance coverage, leave entitlements, training programmes and workload reduction by hiring additional staff
In response, Rane informed the House that the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation (GSIDC) has been assigned the responsibility of constructing anganwadis at 18 locations.
