The Meghalaya government has decided to increase the honorarium of anganwadi workers (AWW), mini anganwadi workers and helpers with effect from October 1, 2022.
The announcement was made by Chief Minister Conrad Sangma today during the state convention of frontliners held at the SICPAC Multipurpose Hall in Mawkasiang. He announced the enhancement of honorarium to AWW Workers by Rs 1500, mini AWW by Rs 750 and Rs 500 for helpers.
“The enhancement of the honorarium is a small token of appreciation for your selfless and dedicated service and to assure you of our support in your work,” he said.
He also informed that all Anganwadi centres will be transformed into Early Childhood Development Centres with better structures, infrastructures and methodology involving parents by giving them training and necessary support.
The chief minister also launched the CM-CAREs (Comfort, Assist, Respect, Empowerment) scheme to senior citizens, single mothers belonging to households with income less than Rs 36,000 per year and all persons with disabilities (PWDs).
Through the CM CAREs, the financial benefit of erstwhile CM’s Social Assistance Scheme has been increased from Rs 500 to Rs 750 per month with effect from October 2022.
Currently, 65777 senior citizens, 36222 single mothers and 14227 PWDs are beneficiaries under the CM-CAREs.
Two State awards to two districts and twelve awards- one from each district was also presented at the state convention. South West Garo Hills District and Ri Bhoi Districts were awarded the ‘Best Districts for Commendable Efforts in reducing SAM & MAM among children’.
The AWWs as well as representatives from the Village Organisations (VOs) and Village Health Councils (VHCs) also received awards for their commendable work in reducing severe acute malnutrition (SAM) and moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) among children through collaborative efforts in the field.
In addition to the 14 Awardees, recognition was also conferred to the 111 AWCs, VOs and VHCs post the inaugural session.
The chief minister said that 90 per cent reduction in SAM and MAM was unexpected especially for a small state like Meghalaya. “Today the model that we follow is being recognized at highest level in the country and you have set a benchmark for other States to follow,” he said applauding the anganwadi workers and the entire team of Social Welfare department.
Social Welfare Minister Kyrmen Shylla informed that this year the Ministry of Women and Child Development has renamed Anganwadi services as Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0. He said that this step is crucial for India’s development, as women and children comprise over two thirds of India’s population so the achievement of the sustainable development goals lies at the fore-front.
Principal Secretary, Sampath Kumar expressed his gratitude to the frontline workers for their tireless services and said that Meghalaya has faced challenges in terms of improving the health and nutritional status of its women and children. However, due to the collaborative efforts of the field level functionaries and the various departments, for the first time in 2020, Meghalaya ranked second in the country in full child immunization coverage.
