Port Blair, Feb 16: Mr. Ajoy Bairagi, State President, Bharatiya Janata Party, Andaman and Nicobar Islands has written a letter to Smti. Debasree Chaudhuri, the Minister of State for Women and Child Development, Govt. of India explaining her about the burning issues of the Anganwadi Workers of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Mr. Ajoy Bairagi in his letter has reminded the Minister that during her visit to the Islands Bharatiya Janata Party had brought some of the issues of the Anganwadi Workers of the Islands to her attention.
Mr. Bairagi mentioned in his letter that the Anganwadi Workers of Andaman and Nicobar Islands have not been paid honorarium by the Central Govt. since July 2020. He also explained to the Hon’ble Minister that due to non-payment of rent the landlords of Anganwadi Centres are demanding that the buildings must be vacated. He further added that the Anganwadi Workers have managed the situation by paying partial rent from their own pockets but it is impossible for them to manage for long as they themselves are facing financial crisis.
He further demanded that as per the New Education Policy the Anganwadis should be given the status of Primary Schools and the Anganwadi Workers and the Anganwadi Helpers should be considered for appropriate level upgradation.
He demanded that as per the National Education Policy the Anganwadi Workers should be given wages at-least according to the Minimum Wages Act which comes to around Rs. 18,000 & Rs. 9000 per month respectively.
Mr. Bairagi further demanded that Anganwadi Workers should be declared as Govt. Servants and should receive Social Security. He also urged for TA, DA for Anganwadi Workers visiting ICDS frequently.
At the end Mr. Ajoy Bairagi informed the Minister about the Dharna being held at Andaman and Nicobar Islands by Anganwadi Workers on 15th of February 2021 and requested her to kindly consider his demands.
Mr. Ajoy Bairagi is seriously taking up the issue of the Anganwadi Workers at the highest level because during the COVID-19 pandemic these Anganwadi Workers were extensively used by the Andaman and Nicobar Administration for door to door survey and other works.
These Anganwadi workers worked for the welfare of the residents of the Islands without any insurance and protection and deserves to be rewarded, rather than being rewarded they were even not paid their salaries in full from July 2020.
