Government positive on gratuity for anganwadi workers, decision likely soon

The state-level launch of the 9th National Nutrition Month was held at Yashwantrao Chavan Pratishthan in Mumbai, with Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare presiding. This year's programme was based on the theme "My Anganwadi, My Responsibility". On the occasion, Minister Tatkare made a major announcement, saying the government's stance on giving gratuity to anganwadi workers and helpers is fully positive and a decision could be taken soon.

Minister Tatkare said anganwadi workers and helpers play a crucial role in effectively implementing the nutrition campaign and ensuring its benefits reach the last beneficiary in society. Through them, the government is trying to reach children, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers as part of its effort to build a stronger Maharashtra.

The minister further said Nutrition Month is being used to spread awareness about the diet and health of children, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers, while also emphasising their all-round development. For this, the Women and Child Development, Health and Ayush departments need to work in coordination. She said proper infant massage from birth is important for children's overall development, and the Ayush department has been brought on board to convey its importance to mothers. The Ayush department will provide the necessary guidance to anganwadi workers and helpers, who will in turn pass this information on to mothers.

Minister Tatkare also said that under this year's "My Anganwadi, My Responsibility" theme, emphasis will be placed on further strengthening anganwadi centres. She said health and nutrition videos prepared by the Ayush department should be regularly shown on the screens of digital anganwadis, and this information should be conveyed to pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.

Under the Saksham Anganwadi Project scheme, an agreement was signed between the Sneha social organisation and the Integrated Child Development Services, under which 817 anganwadis in Mumbai will be equipped with the necessary facilities.

At the event, Ayush's Dr Shubhangi Thakur gave a presentation on infant massage and childcare, while RCH's Dr Upali Waghmare provided guidance on anemia. Minister Tatkare also inaugurated the Integrated Child Development Services' colourful logo, webpage and "Poshan Ahar Prarthana," prepared under the guidance of Commissioner Madhavi Sardeshmukh.

District offices in Wardha, Hingoli and Nagpur, which did outstanding work during last year's 8th National Nutrition Month, were honoured with awards. Wardha's District Executive Officer Manisha Kursange and her team, Hingoli's District Programme Officer Vijay Borate, and Nagpur's District Programme Officer Kailas Ghodke were given mementos and certificates.

Wardha, Mumbai and Nashik districts were also honoured for their good work under the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana. Those honoured included Manisha Kursange, Mumbai District Executive Officer Prema Ghadge, Mumbai Suburban District Women and Child Development Officer Sharad Kurhade, Supervisor Bhausaheb Borkar, and Nashik's District Programme Officer Pratap Patil. Anganwadi workers Jyoti Gaikwad, Shubhangi Lohkar and Kanta Gaikwad were also honoured for effectively implementing the scheme.

On the occasion, beneficiaries Preesha Dhivar, Swamini Kolhale and Sunita Mogal were given cheques for the scheme's amount. Benefits under the Lek Ladki Yojana are now being deposited directly into beneficiaries' accounts through DBT.