Chandigarh, February 24: Haryana Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal today urged the Anganwadi Workers and Helpers working in Haryana not to get misled or instigated by some political leaders as in the last seven years, several steps have been taken by the State Government to safegaurd their interest.
The Chief Minister, while addressing a press conference here today said, " We have taken several concrete steps in the interest of Anganwadi Workers and Helpers. In the month of December also, the honorarium of Anganwadi Workers and helpers was increased by Rs. 850 and Rs. 736, respectively,” said Sh. Manohar Lal.
Home and Health Minister, Sh. Anil Vij also remained present on this occasion.
“Haryana is among the first three states of the country, where the highest honorarium is being given, while in the states of North India, Haryana ranks first,” added Sh. Manohar Lal.
While sharing the comparison of the Honorarium being given to Anganwadi Workers by Haryana with other states, the Chief Minister shared that an amount of Rs. 12,661 is given to the Anganwadi workers with more than ten years experience, while Rs. 11,401 is given to the Anganwadi Workers with less than 10 years of experience and Mini Anganwadi Workers.
Meanwhile, in Punjab Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Rajasthan, Pondicherry, West Bengal Anganwadi Workers are getting Rs. 9500, Rs. 6500, Rs. 10,000, Rs. 9678, Rs. 10,500, Rs. 6540 and Rs. 6750 respectively.
Divulging the details about the Honorarium being given to Anganwadi Helpers by Haryana in comparison with other states, the Chief Minister said that an amount of Rs. 6781 is given to the Anganwadi Helpers of Haryana.
While, Anganwadi Helpers working in Punjab, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Rajasthan, Pondicherry, West Bengal are getting Rs. 4750, Rs. 3250, Rs. 5000, Rs. 4889, Rs. 5800, Rs. 4375 and Rs. 4800 respectively.
“We have increased the honorarium of Anganwadi workers and helpers from time to time. In the year 2014, the honorarium of Anganwadi workers was Rs. 7500 per month, which has now increased to Rs. 12,661. Similarly, the honorarium of the helpers was Rs. 3500 per month in the year 2014, which has now increased to Rs. 6, 781,” shared Sh. Manohar Lal.
The Chief Minister said that adequate arrangements have been made for giving promotion to Anganwadi workers and helpers as well as for giving lump-sum amount at the time of retirement.
The Chief Minister said that earlier the Anganwadi workers used to get Rs.30,000 as exgratia on retirement, which has been increased to Rs. 1 lakh and similarly the exgratia of Anganwadi helpers has also been increased to Rs.50,000. A provision of Rs 2 lakh has been made to Anganwadi workers and helpers in case of accidental death, he added.
"We have fulfilled almost all the demands raised by the Anganwadi Workers and Helpers. In future also all their legitimate demands would be met,” added Sh. Manohar Lal.”
Recruitment on merit basis
The Chief Minister while sharing the figures of the arrest made and cases registered in regard to the various recruitment scams said that various gangs having their roots spread all across the country have been busted by the State Government.
"As per the official figures in the police constables recruitment scam, as many as 70 accused have been arrested till date, while in last few months three big gangs and 26 accused have been caught by STF in this scam. Besides this, 64 accused have been arrested in seven cases registered in the Patwari exam. Incidents of impersonation have also been caught in large numbers. I am sure that now whenever any recruitment exam will happen no such incident would be reported," shared Sh. Manohar Lal.
Pre-Budget Meetings held for ensuring holistic development of State
The Chief Minister said that in a bid to prepare a democratic budget, ensuring the holistic development of the state with the participation of all the stake holders, in the year 2019, a new tradition was started to seek suggestions from various stakeholders before finalizing the budget.
He said that this year the series of pre-budget meetings began on February 7, 2022. A total of eight meetings have been held so far in which 427 eminent personalities from different fields have shared their views.
"Meetings were held with the heads of all departments, representatives of urban local bodies, industrialists, representatives of panchayats, representatives of agriculture sector, health, real estate and education sector," informed Sh. Manohar Lal.
The Chief Minister while responding to a question regarding Haryana's take on decreasing the area coming under NCR region, said that the call has to be taken by the Ministry of Urban Development. The decision in this regard would be finalized in the NCR Planning Board meeting.
"As per the official data 57 percent area of Haryana has come into NCR. Now people are facing many difficulties and due to this in principal approval has been given to the proposal made by the State Government not to include the area up to Hundred kilometers in NCR," added Sh. Manohar Lal.
Additional Chief Secretary, Home Department, Sh. Rajeev Arora, Additional Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Dr. Amit Agrawal, Director General of Police, Sh. P. K. Agarwal, ADGP, CID, Sh. Alok Mittal and other officers remained present on this occasion.