Berhampur: In a welcome development, Odisha government has decided to provide all the Anganwadi workers in the state with mobile phones to assist them in their work.
The announcement was made by the Odisha Women and Child Development Minister Tukuni Sahu at a congregation of Ganjam unit of Odisha Anganwadi Workers' And Helpers' Front on Sunday.
Apart from mobile phones, the Anganwadi Centers will get weight and height measurement scales and also get over-head tanks with water filters as well, informed Sahu.
Speaking to the media, Sahu said, "The Naveen Patnaik Government is committed to the well-being of all Anganwadi workers who toil hard to make the State a better place."
"The purpose of providing cell phones is to make all the schemes of the State government available to them in an easier way, so that they can impart the same to the others in their area," said Sahu.
Subhash Chandra Singh, BJD's Rajya Sabha Member who was also present at the congregation along with other bigwigs of the ruling BJD, said, "A total of 25 Lakh Anganwadi workers across India are yet to get recognition as labourers. I had brought a proposal in the House to raise their salary to a minimum Rs 15,000 per month, but the Centre has put the plan on hold after COVID hit the country."
"While, Centre never thought about them during the COVID crisis, Odisha government buckled up and provided them with insurance and pension schemes," added Singh.
(Edited By Suryakant Jena)