IEP Chandigarh
Haryana Minister of Women and Child Development, Smt. Kamlesh Dhanda, said that the mobile phones are being distributed to Anganwadi workers, supervisors, and CDPOs (Child Development Project Officers) at an estimated cost of around Rs. 28 crore.
In a program held at grain market in Kaithal, the state minister distributed mobile phones to Anganwadi workers. The Minister of State said that mobile phones have been provided to 1270 Anganwadi workers, 49 supervisors and 7 Women and Child Development Project Officers in Kaithal district. Minister further stated that approximately 25,962 Anganwadi workers, 1016 supervisors, and 148 CDPOs across the 22 districts of the state will be provided with mobile phones, totalling a cost of Rs. 28 crore. In Kaithal district, 1326 mobile phones were distributed.
During the programme, the minister highlighted the benefits of connecting 25,962 Anganwadi centres in the state with solar energy. She also mentioned plans to open 4,000 more play schools in the future as well.
Smt. Kamlesh Dhanda emphasized that the use of mobile phones will facilitate better and faster implementation of Anganwadi centre activities. Today, real time data of beneficiaries under many important schemes of the department like ICDS, Pradhan Mantri Matritva Vandana Yojana, Bal Samvardhan Pranali etc. is being filled on the portal. With the availability of smart phones, all the beneficiaries under the nutrition campaign can be easily tracked. On the Portal, work can be done easily regarding the opening time of Anganwadi centres, attendance, weight and height measurement of children, Minister stated.
Additionally, the minister mentioned the opening of 4,000 more play schools in the state and the decision to connect 25,962 Anganwadi centers with solar energy, with 9,500 centres covered in the first phase. Keeping in mind the needs of working women, 500 new crèches will be opened in the state for the babies of working women.
The Minister of State said that recently, Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal had made several announcements while interacting with Anganwadi workers and assistants, under which the honorarium of Anganwadi workers with more than 10 years of experience has been increased from Rs. 12,661 to Rs 14,000, and those with less than 10 years of experience has been increased from Rs. 11,401 to Rs. 12,500. In the similar manner, the honorarium of experienced Mini Anganwadi worker has been increased from Rs. 11,401 to Rs. 12,500. Similarly, uniform allowance has been increased.
The minister also highlighted recent announcements by Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal, including an increase in allowances for Anganwadi workers based on their experience and improvements in retirement benefits. The retirement amount for Anganwadi workers has been increased from Rs. 1 lakh to Rs. 2 lakhs, and for Anganwadi helpers, it has been raise from Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 1 lakh.
