'Anganwadi Workers Render Yeomen Service But Not Paid Well': Karnataka HC Asks State Govt To Consider Enhancing Terminal Benefits To Them

The Karnataka High Court has directed the State government to consider a representation seeking to increase the terminal benefits from Rs.30,000 to Rs.50,000 and from Rs.50,000 to Rs.1,00,000, to the Anganawadi Workers and Helpers, respectively.

A single judge bench of Justice N S Sanjay Gowda gave the direction while disposing of a petition filed by Karnataka Rajya Anganvadi Karya Kartheyara Mathu Sahaya said “Such consideration shall be undertaken and completed within a period of two months from the date of receipt of a copy of this order. The petitioners are also permitted to furnish any additional representation if they so desire.”

The Union espousing the cause of Helpers and Anganawadi workers, whereas petitioner No.2 who is working as an Anganawadi worker had approached the court seeking to quash the government order by which the State had decided to pay a sum of Rs.50,000 to Anganawadi Workers and a sum of Rs.30,000 to Helpers under a Scheme called 'Idigantu (Gouravadhana) Pavathi Yojane'.

It was said “This fixation of a measly sum of Rs.50,000 and Rs.30,000 to Anganawadi Workers and Helpers after having extracted service for long periods of time, would be unethical. Further, it was prayed to direct respondent No.3 to increase the benefit from Rs.50,000 to Rs.1,00,000, in cases of Anganawadi Workers and from Rs.30,000/- to Rs.50,000 to Helpers.

The bench said, “In my view, having regard to the nature of work and the fact that the members of petitioner No.1 – Organisation or Anganawadi Workers belong to lower strata of Society, it would be appropriate to direct the State Government, to consider the representation submitted by petitioner No.1 herein.”

It added, “The State Government shall take into consideration the fact that Anganawadi Workers are not paid very well and they render yeomen service to the lowest strata of Society, while considering the claim of petitioner No.1 for increasing the retrial benefit.”

Appearance: Advocate A J Srinivasan for Petitioners

AGA B.Ravindranath for R-2 & R-3.

CGC Madhanan Pillai R for R-1

Citation No: 2023 LiveLaw (Kar) 483

Case Title: Karnataka Rajya Anganvadi Karya Kartheyara Mathu Sahaya AND Union of India & Others

Case No: Writ Petition No 16212 OF 2012

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