The Awaken India Movement (AIM), Meghalaya has demanded the immediate withdrawal of directives issued by the Social Welfare Department to terminate Anganwadi workers and helpers, not enrolled with Aadhaar.
Two official communications issued on May 1, 2025 and May 20, 2025 by the State government amounts to forcing the workers to get themselves enrolled, AIM said.
“These letters explicitly state that the current system makes it “impossible” for Anganwadi workers and helpers to function without Aadhaar enrolment and further threaten termination for those unwilling to enroll, claiming that non-compliance compromises service delivery to beneficiaries,” AIM said, questioning how all operations have proceeded without disruption in the past.
In a memorandum to Chief Secretary Donald P Wahlang, AIM said the directive contradicts the Supreme Court judgment that Aadhaar cannot be made mandatory for all schemes or services, especially in states like Meghalaya where tribal communities are protected under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
Further it said threat of termination is unconstitutional and violates established legal protection.
