Frame new norms for issues of Anganwari workers: HC to CS

SHIMLA: Taking a serious note on the issue of flaws prevailing in the scheme/guidelines for the engagement of Anganwadi workers/helpers, the HP High Court has directed the Chief Secretary to convene a meeting(s) of all stakeholders and look into the desirability of framing fresh guidelines by adopting a practical, pragmatic, rationale and realistic solution to the problem.

Vijay Arora

Legal Correspondent

Shimla, August 25

Taking a serious note on the issue of flaws prevailing in the scheme/guidelines for the engagement of Anganwadi workers/helpers, the HP High Court has directed the Chief Secretary to convene a meeting(s) of all stakeholders and look into the desirability of framing fresh guidelines by adopting a practical, pragmatic, rationale and realistic solution to the problem.

While passing this order, Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan observed, “The scheme is totally faulty and impracticable, the eligibility criteria prescribes an annual income of a family of a candidate to be not exceeding Rs.15,000 per annum at the relevant time, which works out to be Rs 41 per day. How the government expects a family (not an individual) to survive at Rs 41 per day is beyond the comprehension of this court.”

The court further said that another flaw in the policy is contained in Rule 12, which provides for appeal against selection, which is not only required to be filed within 15 days from the date of issuance of appointment orders, but is also required to be disposed of by the Deputy Commissioner within 15 days.

The court further observed, “Can valuable right of appeal be scuttled or defeated in such a manner, the answer obviously would be in the negative. The period of limitation is apparently inadequate. Geographical conditions, financial position of a party and time required for filing a regular appeal, if kept in mind, would certainly show that the period of 15 days prescribed for filing of an appeal is insufficient and inadequate.”

The court also directed the Chief Secretary to consider putting to an end the practice of the government offices sending communications by post at least to those offices which are situated in the same building and premises or in the nearby vicinity, which can be sent through peon-book or by scanning, e-mail/other option, which would save time and would also be cost effective.