The Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, Yogi Adityanath, announced on Tuesday that the monthly stipends for anganwadi workers and helpers will see substantial increases of Rs 4,000 and Rs 2,000, respectively.
Following this adjustment, anganwadi workers will earn Rs 12,000, while helpers will receive Rs 6,000, as confirmed by a government release.
In addition, anganwadi workers, their aides, and their families will now have access to cashless medical treatment worth up to Rs 5 lakh annually.
During a recognition event held in Ayodhya, Adityanath highlighted that when the BJP came to power in 2017, the honorarium for anganwadi workers was only Rs 3,000. He explained that the government had implemented a performance-based evaluation system, which led to an increase to Rs 8,000, and is now raising it further to Rs 12,000. The honorarium for helpers has similarly increased from Rs 1,500 to Rs 4,000 previously, and is now being raised to Rs 6,000. He commended anganwadi workers and helpers for their crucial contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic, where they played a key role in screening and assisting affected individuals in rural areas.
Approximately 12,000 anganwadi workers and helpers attended the event in Ayodhya, with ministers, MPs, and MLAs participating in similar functions across all 75 districts of the state.
The Chief Minister also announced that funds have been released for sarees for the 2.91 lakh anganwadi workers and helpers, enabling them to receive three sarees instead of two. An additional Rs 500 will be granted for the extra saree, resulting in an estimated extra expense of Rs 20 crore for the state.
Furthermore, in the initial phase, 1.28 lakh smartphones have been distributed to these workers, allowing for real-time data recording related to various schemes, thereby simplifying their operations.
Adityanath remarked that over the last nine years, more than 70,000 anganwadi centers in the state have been revamped. The government aims to provide dedicated buildings for each center, with funding sourced from the State Finance Commission or a dedicated budget.
Criticizing previous administrations, he stated that prior to 2017, anganwadi centers were in poor condition, lacking basic necessities such as drinking water and essential equipment. He pointed out that while the central government allocated funds, a mafia network had control over nutritional food distribution, adversely affecting the anganwadi system.
He emphasized that the nutritional food supply has now been liberated from these corrupt practices, with Take Home Ration plants being operated by women’s self-help groups at 204 locations.
Adityanath also addressed the opposition from the Samajwadi Party and Congress regarding the Ram Temple, asserting that they have resisted development projects in Ayodhya, including road widening, railway station construction, and airport development. Despite their opposition, he noted that the Ram Temple initiative and the overall progress in Ayodhya have continued unabated, culminating in the establishment of a grand temple that attracts visitors from across the nation and the world.
Bhupendra Pandey serves as the Resident Editor of the Lucknow edition of The Indian Express. With extensive experience in Uttar Pradesh’s media landscape, he oversees the bureau’s reporting on significant political developments in the state. His expertise encompasses the intricate relationships between governance, legislative policy, and grassroots activism, providing insightful analysis during critical elections and administrative changes.
Under his leadership, the Lucknow team maintains rigorous standards of accuracy and impartiality, acting as a conduit between local communities and national conversations. By prioritizing comprehensive reporting and firsthand verification, he ensures that regional issues are presented with the necessary context, upholding the trust that readers have placed in The Indian Express over the years.
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