Following a three-week agitation by anganwadi workers and volunteers in Delhi, the Delhi government stated that their honorariums will be increased by roughly INR 3,000 for employees and INR 2,000 for helpers.
The Delhi State Anganwadi Workers and Helpers Union (DSAWHU) have announced that their strike and demonstration at Civil Lines, close to the Chief Minister's house, would continue.
Since January 31, hundreds of employees and supporters have gathered every day at the Civil Lines protest location to seek a significant increase in their honoraria.
Anganwadi workers in Delhi have been paid an honorarium of INR 9,678 per month, while assistance have been paid INR 4,839. After going on strike nearly five years ago in 2017, their salary was boosted to this level from INR 5,000 and INR 2,500, respectively. They have demanded that this be doubled to INR 25,000 for workers and INR 20,000 for assistants every month. Around 22,000 employees and assistants are now working in AWCs around Delhi.
Minister for Women and Child Development Rajendra Pal Gautam said that their honoraria had been enhanced to INR 12,720 and INR 6,810, respectively, with the rise taking effect on March 1.
He said, “Keeping in view of the rising inflation, and the recent strike, the Kejriwal government has taken the decision to once again increase the honorarium of anganwadi workers and helpers in Delhi… An anganwadi worker will be given an honorarium of Rs 11,220 along with which she will be given a conveyance/communication allowance of Rs 1,500. Hence a total of Rs 12,720 will be earned by each anganwadi worker. Similarly, an honorarium of Rs 5,610 will be given to each anganwadi helper along with which she will be given Rs 1,200 as conveyance/communication allowance. Hence a total of Rs 6,810 will be earned by each anganwadi helper. All workers and helpers will be able to spend on their travel and mobile etc through the conveyance/communication allowance.”
He added, “With this decision, Delhi becomes the only state in India to give the highest honorarium to anganwadi workers.”
He claimed that he held a discussion with certain anganwadi workers' unions a few days ago, following which they reached this conclusion, which was approved by the Cabinet.
The DSAWHU, on the other hand, is leading the protest, claiming that they were not invited to a meeting with the minister.
Shivani Kaul, president of the DSAWHU, remarked, “He said he has spoken to some union… My question is who are these unions because they have not met with Delhi State Anganwadi Workers and Helpers Union which has been conducting this strike…Till this union is not invited, the strike will not be called off… The government which is going to Punjab and telling anganwadi workers there that they will double their honorarium are giving this ‘bheek’ in Delhi.”
