Port Blair, Feb 16: Shri. Ajoy Bairagi, State President, Bharatiya Janata Party has written a letter to Smti. Debasree Chaudhuri, Minister of State for Women and Child Development, Govt. of India explaining her about the burning issues of the Anganwadi Workers of Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
Bairagi 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.
He mentioned that the Anganwadi Workers in the islands have not been paid honorarium by the Central Govt. since July 2020. Due to non-payment of rent the landlords of Anganwadi Centres are demanding that the buildings must be vacated. The Anganwadi Workers have managed the situation by paying partial rent from their own pockets but it is not possible for them to manage for long.
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.
The National Education Policy suggests that 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.
Bairagi demanded that Anganwadi Workers should be declared as Govt. Servants and should receive Social Security with TA, DA to visit ICDS frequently.
He also informed the Minister about the Dharna organised at Andaman & Nicobar Islands by Anganwadi Workers on 15th of February 2021 and requested her to kindly consider his demands.