Anganwadi workers will receive a minimum of one lakh rupees as a retirement benefit from the new financial year. Departmental Minister Rekha Arya issued instructions to this effect after reaching an agreement with Anganwadi worker organizations.
In a meeting held at the HRDC auditorium in the Secretariat, the Minister for Women Empowerment and Child Development said that currently, Anganwadi workers receive Rs. 35,000 to 40,000 upon retirement. Increasing this amount required a monthly contribution of Rs. 300 from the Anganwadi workers, hence their consent was necessary. Those Anganwadi workers who retire from April 1st of next year will receive this benefit.
The Minister informed that under the Single Women Self-Employment Scheme, 504 proposals from six districts have been approved so far. Applications from other districts are still being processed. She stated that a program to disburse funds to the 504 approved applicants will be held in the first week of January. The Nanda Gaura scheme was also reviewed in the meeting. The Minister said that this year, more than 45,000 applications have been received under this scheme, which is the highest number to date.
The application deadline is December 20th, so the number of applications may increase further. She instructed that funds be released to eligible applicants around January 15th. Regarding the promotion of Anganwadi workers, she said that a notification for 88 posts will be issued within a week.
A scheme to assist elderly women is also to be launched next year. Officials have been instructed in this regard. A fund of eight crore rupees is available for this scheme. Departmental Secretary Chandresh Kumar Yadav, Director Bansilal Rana, Deputy Director Vikram Singh, Neetu Phulera, and others were present at the meeting.
