Telangana CM says govt. will stand by Anganwadi workers

Telangana (Hyderabad) [India], Feb. 28 (ANI): Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekhar Rao has assured that the government would stand by Anganwadi workers who are working relentlessly for the protection of pregnant women, lactating mothers and infants. In this context, the Chief Minister said that the government had already taken several programmes for the women in both rural and urban areas in the state and some more programmes will be taken up in future. The Chief Minister said for the successful implementation of all these programme, Anganwadi teachers have to play a major role. Rao held a meeting with the Anganwadi workers, helpers here at Janahita. He gave a patient hearing to the issues raised by the Anganwadi workers and helpers and gave an instant solution to some of their grievances. The Chief Minister hosted a lunch with them in Pragathi Bhavan and held an exclusive meeting. Each and every Anganwadi worker individually interacted with the CM and he took some decisions on the spot. The decisions taken by the Chief Minister are the status of Anganwadi workers is elevated to that of Anganwadi teachers and instructions are given to refer to Anganwadi workers as Anganwadi teachers. At the time when the Telangana state was formed the salary of Anganwadi teacher was Rs. 4,200 per month. The Chief Minister had enhanced the salary to Rs. 7,000 per month when he had a meeting with Anganwadi teachers on Feb 28, 2015 in Secretariat. Now the salary is hiked to Rs. 10,500 per month. This will mean that each Anganwadi teacher's salary per month is increased by Rs. 3,500 per month which 50 percent hike. If the hike is calculated from Telangana was formed it is 150 percent. When the Telangana state was formed the salary of each Anganwadi workers working at the Mini Anganwadi and helpers was Rs. 2,200 per month. It was increased to Rs. 4,500 per month when they had their first meeting with the Chief Minister. Now it is increased to Rs. 6,000 per month which is Rs. 1500 hike per month (33.3 percent). If the hike is calculated from the Telangana state formation it is 172 percent. The decision to hike salaries of the Anganwadi Teachers, helpers will benefit 67,411 employees working in 35,700 Anganwadi Centres. Taking in account the seniority, qualifications, Anganwadi teachers will be promoted as Supervisors. Insurance scheme will be extended to Anganwadi teachers and helpers. Priority will be given to the Anganwadi workers while allotting double bed room houses. Fine rice will be supplied to the Anganwadi centres to cook rice for the pregnant, lactating mothers and the infants. Fine rice will be supplied from the coming month. During the month of May it may be difficult for the pregnant women, lactating mothers and children to come to the Centres, hence food will be supplied to their homes. "In Telangana, most priority will be given to the welfare of mother and child. We will ensure their good health. It is painful to see pregnant women going to work even if they are in the advanced stage of pregnancy. This is the reason why we want to take care of the mother and child pre and post Natal stages. Under the Arogya Laxmi Scheme, pregnant women, lactating mothers and children will be given nutritious food, milk and eggs," rao said. The Chief Minister said if the pregnant mothers are healthy their newborn will also be healthy. "These new born are the prosperity of the Telangana State in future. If they are healthy, the State will be good. This is the precisely the reason the government is spending money without even bothering about the financial burden on schemes like Arogya Laxmi. We have decided to given Rs 12,000 in three installments to those women who deliver their babies in the government hospitals. If the newborn is a female child an additional amount of Rs 1,000 is given. This scheme will start from April 1," he added. "For the just born babies, a special Rs. 2000 worth Kit having all the necessary items that require for a new born is given to each mother. And people desired that the Kit should be named as KCR Kit. Since the government has decided to compensate the daily wages for pregnant and lactating women, we are introducing the scheme. Women should take advantage of this scheme and pregnant women should be careful. Get the delivery done in the hospital only. Take nutritious food and the government scheme is meant for this. Anganwadi teachers should make this programme successful," he said. Minister Tummala Nageswara Rao, Women and Child welfare Secretary Jagdeesh, Director Indira, CMs Additionall Principal Secretary, Shanthi Kumari, Secretary Smita Sabharwal, Anganwadi teachers from different parts of the state participated. (ANI)