Anganwadi workers demand release of pending honorarium before Diwali

The All Anganwadi Worker Helper Union has urged the state government to use the

funds granted by the Centre to pay their honorarium, which has been pending for the last six months. The union has warned that if the honorarium is not paid before Diwali, workers across Punjab will be forced to intensify their struggle.

In a memorandum submitted to the District Programme Officer, the union highlighted that Anganwadi workers and helpers have not received their honorarium for six months. This has caused severe hardship, especially as many of them are widows, destitute, divorced, or differently abled. Without salaries, it has become extremely difficult for them to manage daily expenses, the union stated.

The union also said that mobile phones, which were promised for online reporting work, have not been provided. Workers are forced to buy data packages from their own money, despite their financial struggles. They demanded that mobile phones be supplied immediately to ensure smooth online functioning.

The letter further pointed out that the recent floods in Punjab have made their situation worse. Many Anganwadi workers lost their homes, livestock and belongings in the calamity. Despite this, they continued their duties as frontline workers, conducting village surveys, reporting damage and providing information about affected families, children and the elderly. They also distributed ration, sanitary pads and first-aid kits in flood-hit areas as per government directions.

The union alleged that while Anganwadi workers have been fulfilling their responsibilities with dedication even in such difficult conditions, the Punjab Government has been withholding the honorarium of Rs 4,500 per worker provided by the Central Government for the last six months.