With a view to improve the lot of the Anganwari workers, the Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi on Tuesday announced hike in the monthly honorarium of over 53000 Anganwari workers, Mini Anganwari workers and the Helpers across the State. He also declared that all these workers would be now eligible for regular increase in their honorarium annually from January 1, 2023 onwards.On the occasion, CM Channi also distributed appointment letters to 67 Safai Sewaks.Addressing a massive gathering of Anganwari workers at Anaj Mandi in Morinda, the Chief Minister declared that from now onwards, the monthly emoluments of the Anganwari workers stand increased from Rs. 8100 to Rs. 9500, Mini Anganwari workers from Rs. 5300 to Rs. 6300 and Helpers from Rs. 4050 to Rs. 5100. Likewise, the honorarium of Anganwari workers would be increased every year by Rs. 500 while it would be enhanced Rs. 250 in case of both Mini Anganwari workers and the Helpers.
Describing the Anganwari workers as backbone of the administrative machinery of the State, the Chief Minister reiterated that the welfare of women and their empowerment always remained the highest priority of the state government. "Earlier also, the monthly emoluments of over 67000 ASHA Workers and Mid Day Meal Workers were increased as part of the commitment to ensure overall welfare of this significant section of the society", said Channi.Exhorting people to follow precautionary measures amid recent surge in Covid cases, the Chief Minister said that the Punjab Government has already a robust healthcare infrastructure in place to face any eventuality.Listing the pro-people initiatives undertaken by his government, the Chief Minister said that power tariff for the domestic consumers has been reduced by Rs. 3 per unit, Petrol as well as Diesel prices have been slashed by Rs. 10 and Rs. 5 respectively and water charges have been brought to a flat rate of Rs. 50. All these measures reflect State Government's commitment that people's money must revert to them, added Channi.
In his address, the Finance Minister Manpreet Singh Badal said that the present dispensation is fully conversant with the problems being faced by the women who had to undertake household chores before leaving for the professional commitments therefore they deserved this much awaited increase in their monthly emoluments.Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Razia Sultana expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister and the Finance Minister for this handsome hike adding she assured the Anganwari workers that the State Government stands shoulder to shoulder with them in their hour of need.Among others present on the occasion included Cabinet Minister Rana Gurjit Singh, Ex Minister Sadhu Singh Dharamsot, MLA Tarn Taran Dharambir Agnihotri, Anganwari leaders Hargobind Kaur, Usha Rani and Saroj Chhapdiwal.