SHILLONG: Angered over the delay by the Government in disbursing their salaries for the past five years, hundreds of Anganwadi workers from across the State poured onto the streets in Shillong on Friday to air their grievances.
Meghalaya Anganwadi Workers’ and Helpers’ Union (MAWHU) secretary L Lyngdoh told reporters that the State Government had not paid the wages of over 3000 Anganwadi workers in the State since 2010.
Lyngdoh lamented the delay in payment of the wages despite the fact that the expenditure incurred for disbursing the salaries to the Anganwadi workers including Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), helpers and mini- Anganwadi workers is borne by the Centre with the State Government’s share being Rs.50 each.
Lyngdoh elaborated that Anganwadi workers who are matriculates are paid fixed wage of Rs.3000 per month, while under- matriculates get Rs.2933. Mini- Anganwadi workers and helpers are paid fixed monthly wages of Rs.2250 and Rs.1500 each, respectively.
There are over 3864 registered Anganwadi workers under MAWHU serving in the 11 districts of the State.
Later, a MAWHU delegation met Acting Chief Secretary PBO Warjri and urged him to release their wages at the earliest.
The Anganwadi workers also threatened to sit on agitation if the State Government failed to pay their wages immediately.