Anganwadi Workers and Helpers Submit Memorandum Against Draft Rules Issued by the Social Welfare Department

Anganwadi Workers and Helpers Submit Memorandum Against Draft Rules Issued by the Social Welfare Department

Chandigarh 16 March ( Ranjeet Singh Dhaliwal ) : The Anganwadi Workers and Helpers Union has strongly opposed the draft recruitment and promotion rules issued by the Social Welfare Department, Chandigarh. In a letter of protest submitted to the Director and Secretary of the Social Welfare Department, the Union explicitly expressed its displeasure, stating that the draft rules issued by the department constitute a conspiracy against the employees working under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme—including Anganwadi workers, helpers, supervisors, and CDPOs. The Union warned that if these rules are implemented, they would result in a complete freeze on promotions and would have a severely adverse impact on workers who have been serving for 15 to 30 years. The Union asserted that this decision by the Social Welfare Department is being taken solely in favor of a select few contractual employees engaged under the 'Poshan Tracker' initiative, a move that will be vehemently opposed. In the memorandum, the Union demanded the adoption of a transparent mechanism to fix a 100% promotion quota for existing helpers, workers, supervisors, and CDPOs within the department, based on their respective qualifications.

Meanwhile, taking the Social Welfare Department to task, the Union alleged that instead of reviewing and implementing the demands repeatedly submitted by the Union, department officials are subjecting employees to harassment. Furthermore, members of the 'Poshan Team' are reportedly publicly humiliating helpers, workers, and even supervisors, and are engaging in inappropriate behavior towards beneficiaries—actions that have caused deep disillusionment among the beneficiaries as well. The Union expressed deep concern over the failure to resolve its demands—despite having issued a notice for a protest rally on March 19—which include the implementation of DC rates, ensuring 100% promotion opportunities, fixing duty hours in accordance with ICDS guidelines, ensuring the timely payment of honorariums, and putting an end to the practice of issuing baseless, threatening warning letters to helpers and workers. Furthermore, the Union issued a stern warning: if these demands are not resolved expeditiously through dialogue with the Union, a decisive "fight to the finish" will be declared during the massive protest rally scheduled for March 19.