Bhubaneswar: The Union Minister for Women and Child Development, Maneka Gandhi, today clarified that all the States including Odisha have been notified about the Centre’s decision on hike in honorarium to Anganwadi Workers.
In reply to a letter written by Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Gandhi stated that the Central share of grants-in-aid of Rs 16,694.38 lakh for third and fourth quarter of the current financial year has been released to Odisha towards the enhanced honorarium.
“The government’s decision on enhancement of Anganwadi workers and Anganwadi Helpers under Anganwadi services effective from October 1, 2018 has already been conveyed to all the States and Union Territories on September 20, 2018,” the letter stated.
Regarding vacancies in various grades under Anganwadi services, Gandhi stated the WCD ministry has been requesting the States and Union Territories to fill up the vacancies expeditiously.
“The States have also been requested to delegate powers to the District Magistrates and District Collectors for filling up the vacancies of Anganwadi Workers and Anganwadi Helpers across the country and Supervisors in aspirational districts in a letter on March 14, 2018.”
Pradhan had written a letter to Gandhi on January 25 regarding implementation of Anganwadi Services in Odisha, particularly issues relating to honorarium to field functionaries, utilisation certificates against grants-in-aid released to the State government and vacancies in various grades.