Maneka Gandhi said that the anganwadi workers have been 'misused' and are asked to political meetings.
Anganwadi workers across the country have been "misused" for over four decades by making them work extra hours for even attending political meetings or greeting VIPs, which has been banned now, Women and Child Development minister Maneka Gandhi said on Thursday.
During the Question Hour, members expressed concern over the remunerations paid to Anganwadi workers saying Rs 3000 to them and Rs 1500 for Anganwadi helpers was not at all adequate compensation for the work they do.
The Minister said there were around 24 lakh Anganwadi workers, who were technically required to work only a few hours as it was not an 8-hour job. However, the "actual fact" is that over the 40 years of the programme, they have been "misused" and "not legally" asked to attend political meetings, greet VIPs or distribute pamphlets. "We have stopped all that," Gandhi said.
The WCD minister said while it is not possible for her to increase the remuneration especially with the 60:40 devolution of funds between Centre and State, the state governments pay additional money to them.
Referring to UP which according to data provided by her pays Rs 200 as additional honorarium, Gandhi said they could ask states to pay more to Anganwadi workers.
Gandhi also said the Centre was "trying to do other things which it can't do in terms of money for Anganwadi workers" like providing a maternity leave of 180 days, insurance cover, awards, uniforms and also preference for the position of supervisor, which means a jump in their package. She said the Centre is planning to build one lakh Anganwadi centres per year so that all of them have pucca buildings.
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