PONDA: The circular sent by Directorate of Women and Child Development has created confusion among anganwadi workers, since the May 8 circular, while declaring vacation for them, at the same time has also asked them to join duties.
The circular has reportedly created deep discontent and feeling of injustice among anganwadi workers as they have been asked to join duties during vaction. Now they not only need to go and open anganwadis during vacation but the teacher and helper also need to send proof of opening of aganwadis online to authorities on a daily basis, which has reportedly created confusion among them. They reportedly questioned the government whether it is their vacation or harassment period?
An anganwadi teacher, on condition of anonymity, said, never in past were they asked to join duties during vacation. Earlier, they used to enjoy one-month vacation and they did not have to work. But today they say they have been warned not to leave the State during vacation.
Another anganwadi teacher questioned with no students attending classes, what is the point in opening anganwadis? She said that the government has declared vacation for them from May 9 to June 3. However, the government circular has made it compulsorily for them to be available on their cell phone and has also directed them to do their routine work during vacation. Some teachers and helpers travel long distance to their workplace and this circular is a harassment to them, they alleged. When other school teachers are getting holidays, then why is such injustice done to anganwadi workers, she asked.
Further, the anganwadi workers claimed that they are not getting their monthly honorarium on time and had not received the last month’s honorarium.
When contacted Director of Women and Child Development Sangeeta Porob said that Anganwadi teachers and helpers will have to strictly follow the instructions given to them.
She said that the department had a meeting with the office-bearers of the All Goa Anganwadi Workers Union, wherein the matter was discussed.
According to Porob, barring Goa, no other anganwadi teachers and helpers in other States have vacation. It was in 2018, the then State government decided to give vacation to anganwadis along with school teachers. In 2019, the Union Government started Poshan Tracker application wherein the anganwadis have to upload daily photos and list of events done on each day. They only have holiday on second Saturday and Sunday.
In order to get their remuneration, the Central government has made it mandatory that they should attend to work on a daily basis.
