Anganwadi workers: Congress Parliamentary Party President Sonia Gandhi raised the issue of rights of Anganwadi women workers in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday. Besides, he also talked about Asha workers and assistants. Throwing light on the contribution of these women workers, Sonia Gandhi said that these women make important contribution in implementing the government schemes at the grassroots level, but they do not get as much honorarium as they should be given for their contribution. Sonia Gandhi said that the low honorarium given to these women should be increased and doubled.
Getting less salary due to rising inflation
Sonia Gandhi has also expressed deep concern over the condition of Anganwadi workers and assistants. He said that the Central Government is giving only Rs 4,500 per month to Anganwadi workers. Besides, the assistants are also given an honorarium of only Rs 2,250 per month. He said that how will one survive with such a low honorarium in this rising inflation? Also, this honorarium is very less as per their workload. Therefore, Sonia Gandhi has demanded from the government to double the honorarium.
It is necessary to fill the vacant posts
Apart from low honorarium, Sonia Gandhi has also raised the issue of large number of vacant posts in the Integrated Child Development Services. He said that at present about three lakh posts are lying vacant at various levels under the Integrated Child Development Services. Due to this, millions of children and mothers across the country are not getting the benefits of essential services like nutrition, health and primary care. He also said that even when these posts are filled, they are not as per the population standards.
forced to work with limited security
Expressing the problems of Anganwadi and Asha workers, Sonia Gandhi said that these workers bear excessive workload even after getting limited honorarium. They are also forced to work with limited social security. He said that the Central Government should work with the states to quickly fill all the existing vacant posts. Also, all employees should get honorarium on time.