Mirabai assures, warns anganwadi workers/helpers
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 01 2012: Assuring anganwadi workers and helpers that all possible measures would be taken up to redress their grievances, Social Welfare Minister AK Mirabai said duty negligence would not be tolerated.

After a patient hearing on various complaints pointed out by anganwadi workers and helpers at an interactive session organised by the Department of Social Welfare at Kangla auditorium today, AK Mirabai assured that three months honorarium out of the pending entitlements for nine months, would be released at the earliest.

She, however, maintained that the remaining payment would be possible only after submission of utilisation certificate to the Central Government, under whose patronage anganwadi centres arc being run in the State under the Integrated Child Development Scheme.

While approving pink colour uniform for the anganwadi workers, Mirabai reminded that all the 19,000 personnel engaged in running anganwadis need to work with commitment and sincerity so that the noble project of the Government bears fruit.

Reminding that working hours for anganwadi workers helpers should be from 7 am till 11 am rather than the practice of some anganwadi personnel calling it a day at 9 am, the Minister cautioned that she would launch surprise inspection visits and initiate punitive action against workers and helpers found not complying with the prescribed norms.

Further assuring that an effective mechanism would be worked out for additional entitlements to the anganwadi personnel along with introducing pension scheme to 60 years-plus anganwadi workers, the Minister informed that officials of State Pension Cell would be consulted to frame a State pension policy.

Informing that certificates would be issued to anganwadi children to facilitate admission upon completing stint at the anganwadi level, she issued a firm instruction that there should be no misuse of materials such as nutritious food and supplementary medicine for both the child and mother.

Conceding that the Government facing financial constraints consequent to the implementation of the 6th Pay Commission re-commendation is also having its impact on the Social Welfare Department, Mirabai confided that efforts are on to convince the Central Government provide more sponsored projects to Manipur.

She also asked the anganwadi workers and helpers to exhibit their commitment in the overall development of the child rather than waste their energy in making unjustifiable demands.

Mirabai further advised the workers and helpers to first resign from their respective posts in case one intends to contest elections for political post.

The session was also attended by Commissioner (Social Welfare) Letkhogin Haokip and Director G Seityabati Devi.

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