Condemning the non-clearance of honorarium for Anganwadi workers and mid-day meal cooks even after the funds have been disbursed from the Central government, the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) has demanded distribution of the honorarium at the earliest.
During a press conference at Congress Bhawan on Saturday, MPCC vice-president L Tilotama informed that the Centre had released Rs 15 crore for the year 2021 and Rs 10 crore for 2022 for Anganwadi service and mid-day meal. However, it is unfortunate that the state government has failed to distribute the honorarium for more than 10 months, she lamented.
The Aganwadi workers have not been getting their honorarium worth Rs 3,000 per month from the past 10 months while the mid-day meal cooks (Rs 1,000 per month) have not received it for the last 19 months, the vice-president added.
Moreover, the state government had promised to hike honorarium for Anganwadi workers up to Rs 12,000 but it is surprising to note that even the honorarium has not been disbursed, she said.
“Not giving honorarium for such a long period is violating their rights. The amount is also too nominal. The people working in these sectors are usually economically unsound. Considering their difficulties which they have been enduring, the state government should distribute it as soon as possible,” she demanded.
She urged the state government to take up distribution of honorarium for Anganwadi workers and mid-day meal cooks as a part of the 100 days program of the state government.
Recalling the promises made by Chief Minister Biren Singh, she said that MPCC still remembers the assurance by the BJP to bring all round development if they win absolute majority. The BJP has accomplished their dream, so they should distribute the honorarium of said workers soon, Tilotama added.
