State President Centre of Indian Trade Unions Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami has said that the decision of the SAC to disburse honorarium to Anganwari Workers and Anganwari Helpers through Panchayats can pave way for corruption and harassment of the workers and helpers.
“Supervision of Anganwari centers is done by the ICDSdepartment and we don’t object to the coordination with Panchayati RajInstitutions in running the Anganwari centers. But the panchayats must provideresources to the Anganwari centre like it is being done in Kerala, where theyprovide additional food, milk, eggs toys, uniforms etc for children.
“But here, instead of following that model, only monitoringpart has been given to panchayats. The salary to the Anganwari staff will bereleased only after the certification of the panchayats which can lead tocorruption and harassment of the workers and helpers. This was tried in manystates, All India Federation of Anganwadi Workers/Helpers (AIFAWH) and tradeunions objected to it and the decision was taken back,” CITU said in astatement.
“In J&K also Anganwadi workers and trade unions shouldoppose this decision and persuade the administration for its withdrawal,” theCITU said.