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GRATUITY FOR ANGANWADI WORKERS

GRATUITY FOR ANGANWADI WORKERS

Why in News?

Recently, the Supreme Court held that anganwadi workers were entitled to gratuity, a basic social security measure.

About

• The Court recognized their right to be paid gratuity under the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972.
• The court underscored that it was time for the Centre and the States to “collectively consider” bettering the service conditions of anganwadi workers and helpers.
• It also said that the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) deserved far greater attention in public policy.
• The scheme acts as an “institutional mechanism for realization of child and women rights”.
• Yet these services are regarded as State Charity rather than as enforceable entitlements.
• Thus, a relook into their service conditions was necessary to ensure quality in the delivery of services and community participation.

Anganwadi Workers

• Anganwadi is a centrally sponsored scheme implemented by the States / UTs which serves as a rural child and maternal care centre in India.
• It was started by the Government of India in 1975 as part of the ICDS program to combat child hunger and malnutrition.
• Anganwadi centers provide a package of six services: supplementary nutrition, pre-school non-formal education, immunization, health check-up, nutrition and health education, and referral services.
• The beneficiaries under the Anganwadi Services Scheme are identified based on Aadhaar.

Gratuity

• Gratuity is a benefit that is payable under the Payment of Gratuity Act 1972.
• Gratuity is a financial component offered by an employer to an employee in recognition of his/her service rendered to an organization.
• It is a part of the salary an employee receives and can be viewed as a benefit plan designed to aid an individual in his/her retirement.
• Gratuity is paid by an employer when an employee leaves the job after serving the same organization for a minimum period of 5 years.
• One can consider it to be a financial “Thank you” to an employee for rendering continuous service to an employer.       

Importance of Anganwadi Workers

• The court held that anganwadi workers and helpers taking care of the nutrition needs of around 158 million children who were considered the “future resource of the country”.
• They perform a bouquet of vital services at the grassroots level and were often the bridge between the government and beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act, 2013 and the ICDS.
• Anganwadi workers and helpers served in disadvantaged areas and catered to the needs of underprivileged groups.
• They formed the backbone of the ICDS.
• Socialized childcare contributes to the liberation of women.
• It lightens the burden of looking after children, provides a potential source of remunerated employment for women and gives them an opportunity to build women’s organizations.

 

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