Dehradun: Anganwadi workers will receive a minimum of Rs. 1 lakh as assistance upon retirement from the new financial year. After reaching an agreement with Anganwadi worker organizations, departmental minister Rekha Arya issued instructions to this effect.
In a meeting held at the HRDC auditorium in the Secretariat, the Minister of Women Empowerment and Child Development said that currently, Anganwadi workers are given Rs. 35,000 to 40,000 on retirement. An increase in this amount required a monthly contribution of Rs. 300 from the Anganwadi workers, so their consent was necessary. Those Anganwadi workers who retire from April 1st next year will benefit from this.
The minister informed that under the Single Women Self-Employment Scheme, 504 proposals have been approved from six districts so far. Applications from other districts are still being processed. She said that a program will be held in the first week of January to release the funds to the 504 approved applicants. 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 so far.
The application deadline is December 20th, so the number of applications may increase further. In the meeting, she instructed that the money be released to eligible candidates around January 15th. Regarding the promotion of Anganwadi workers, she said that a notification for 88 posts will be issued within a week.
Meanwhile, a scheme for the assistance of elderly women is to be launched next year. Officials have been instructed regarding this. A fund of Rs. 8 crore is available for this scheme. Departmental Secretary Chandresh Kumar Yadav, Director Bansilal Rana, Deputy Director Vikram Singh, Neetu Phulera, and others were present in the meeting.
