The erstwhile Congress government in April, 2014, had promised a bonus amount of Rs 1,000 to be given as bhau bheej ahead of Diwali 2014. However, the money is expected to be handed over to workers now.
There is nothing unusual about Anganwadi workers protesting the delay in their salaries by a few months. However, for Diwali bonus 2014 the two lakh odd workers across the state had to wait for almost a year. The erstwhile Congress government in April, 2014, had promised a bonus amount of Rs 1,000 to be given as bhau bheej ahead of Diwali 2014. However, the money is expected to be handed over to workers now.
Anganwadis are government-sponsored child and mother care centres in rural areas. As per department sources, the erstwhile government had made the promise-- which was more of an election gimmick--- but had not created any head for the announcement in the department budget. After a yearlong wait, the women and child welfare department has now issued a government resolution dated September 22 announcing the bonus money. The resolution also promises release of 2015 bonus on time.
"There were certain technical issues because of which the payment was delayed. And then there was change of government etc. However, this time we have channelised the process and are releasing the funds for 2014-15 and 2015-16 simultaneously," said a senior officer.
In June this year the Maharashtra Anganwadi Sevika Union had alleged that the state government has not paid the salaries of its workers for the last four months.
The Union had alleged that despite several representations submitted to the Women and Child development minister Pankaja Munde, who also holds additional charge of rural development, and finance minister Sudhir Mungantiwar their demands were not met as both ministers maintained that the government has no money to pay dues.
Finally, it was during the monsoon session that the government sanctioned a budget for the salaries of these workers and also enhanced their stipend amount for Anganwadi sevikas and attendants by Rs 950 and Rs 500 respectively. For mini-anganwadi sevikas the stipend has been increased by Rs 550. Their earlier stipend from the state government was Rs 450. The Centre's share for anganwadi sevikas is Rs 3,000 and for attendants it is Rs 1,500. For mini-anganwadi sevikas, the Centre's share is Rs 2,250. The total budget for stipend is Rs 892.4 crore annually.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Anganwadi")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}