SHUBHANGI SHIFA
Ranchi, Feb 24: While talking to Anganwadi workers and nutrition sakhis of Chandrapura and Lowadih block, Jharkhand Minister for Department of Education Jagarnath Mahto on Thursday said that the difference between a BJP and a JMM-led government is that the latter tries talking to the workers and asks of their issues unlike the former would order lathi-charge on those demanding their rights.
Mahto further continued saying, “We are working to fulfill all your demands and plan to talk to the Chief Minister during Cabinet about the issue. The government has started preparing service condition rules for them. CM Soren has directed to prepare the rules that are expected to be made within two months. The government is with you and supports you, rest assured all your demands will be fulfilled.”
The minister along with Badal Patralekh, Minister of Agriculture, JMM MLA from Gumla Sudivya Kumar Sonu and Joba Majhi, Minister of Social Welfare, Women and Child Development on Thursday met anganwadi workers and nutrition sakhis here and took cognizance of their issues, problems and demands.
Joba Majhi while addressing the women said, “I congratulate you as your struggle comes to an end. We have always worked to better the lives of anganwadi workers and helpers.” She further appreciated CM Soren for working for the betterment of women in the state and assured the women that the state and the government was working towards solving their issues and fulfilling their demands.
Notably, like para teachers, there is talk of fixing an honorarium of anganwadi workers as well. Negotiations are going on to fix the monthly honorarium to about Rs 13 thousand. Along with this, there is talk about giving costliness allowance and other allowances for departmental contract workers.
Along with this, government approved holidays are also being thought over, while in the event of death of an anganwadi worker, laghu sevika and sahayika during their service period, a proposal to give compassionate benefit to the dependent is also being put in the rules.
JMM MLA Sudivya Kumar Sonu, who is mediating talks between the anganwadi workers and the government, said that he has held several rounds of meetings with anganwadi workers and will make a report on this and submit it to the Chief Minister. Here, preparations are being made by the Department of Women and Child Development.
Meanwhile, the Anganwadi Sevika Sangh has also demanded to implement the supplementary nutrition given to the anganwadi workers as per the orders of the Supreme Court. Along with this, the workers have demanded that sevika-sahayika be given the status of fourth class employee in government. They further have demanded that a sevika be paid Rs 25 thousand and a sahayika be paid Rs 15 thousand till the anganwadi worker is not reinstated as a government employee in view of the rising inflation. The women also want that as per the announcement made by the central government in 2011, equal honorarium be provided to workers of the small Anganwadi center without any delay.
Other demands by the anganwadi workers include age limit be removed and in case of death of a sevika-sahayak while working, 50 lakh be given as insurance along with the benefits of Atal Jeevan Jyoti Bima, among others. On the occasion, a formal letter along with the demands by anganwadi workers was presented to Joba Majhi by women.
