PUNE: After a long battle with the government, the anganwadi sevikas (teachers) and helpers have finally received a raise of around Rs 1,500 in their remuneration. This has raised the remuneration of the ‘sevikas’ above Rs 8,000, while that of the ‘helpers’ to more than Rs 4,000.
In September last year, the Central government had announced a hike of Rs 1,500 for the anganwadi sevikas and helpers. According to the 60:40 ratio shared between the Central and the State governments, the raise would only be given after the State government made a provision for the same. While many states have already implemented an increase in the remuneration, the delay by the Maharashtra government led to several protests by the anganwadi employees in the past year.
“We are satisfied, as we have taken our first step towards getting the remuneration and recognition that we deserve, however, the fight continues. In several other states, Sevikas now receive salaries up to Rs 13,500 and in Maharashtra, the remuneration of the most experienced ones is now hardly Rs 8,700,” said activist Shubha Shamim of Maharashtra Rajya Anganwadi Karmachari Kruti Samiti (Maharashtra State Anganwadi Employees Action Committee).
One of the main demands of the Committee was getting recognised as government employees.
“Our fight now would be to get the minimum salary of Rs 18,000 that class III and IV government employees receive. And we would continue to do so,” Shamim said.
“In our meeting with the concerned authorities, it had been decided that we would receive allowances of Rs 500 per month for sevikas and Rs 250 per month for helpers. We are still awaiting a GR for the same. Also, most of the sevikas and helpers have not yet received their salaries for past two months, as the government has not made budgetary provisions. We are still awaiting a decision. The Action Committee would make the final decision about calling off the protest completely only after having a meeting with Minister of Women and Child Welfare Pankaja Munde on Monday, August 19,” Shamim further said.
