Even as Anganwadi workers have been agitating for higher remuneration, the State Government has made no budgetary provision for their enhanced salary.
The Anganwadi workers and helpers, who have been providing services in six key areas including immunisation and supplementary nutrition to children upto six years of age, pregnant and lactating women, will continue to get uniform sarees.
The State Government has made a provision of Rs 5.20 crore to meet the extra cost of sarees to Anganwadi workers and helpers, said Minister for Women and Child Development Usha Devi.
Replying to the demand discussion of the department, the Minister said a provision of Rs 170 crore has been proposed under the 13th Finance Commission for strengthening institutional service delivery for children, pregnant and lactating mothers. The financial assistance made in the budget will be utilised for construction of anganwadi centre buildings.
The Minister said a provision of Rs 712.46 crore has been made under the Centrally sponsored Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS).
Government has also made a provision of ` 560 crore for supplementary nutrition and ` 40.15 crore for emergency feeding programme to improve the health and nutrition status of the children, pregnant and lactating mothers, old, infirm and indigent persons of BPL households of undivided KBK districts.
Members cutting across party lines expressed concern over lack of permanent building for anganwadi centres and safe drinking water supply. The department’s budget was passed by voice vote with Opposition staging walkout.