Govt of India, state govts "fail" to redress pathetic condition of 60 lakh welfare workers

By Sheshu Babu*
While major contribution to implementation of social welfare schemes is through social volunteers and anganwadis, nurses, teachers, etc., their economic and social condition remains pathetic. Their problems have not been addressed either by governments or other welfare organizations for many years.
Indeed, social and economic progress depends upon providing basic services. The teachers, Anganwadi workers, nurses, panchayat secretaries or PWD employees are crucial for services like basic schooling, childcare and nutrition, health counseling, etc. Their need in rural areas is very much especially in helping poor and the needy. But they are grossly underpaid and even their services devalued by the government or public.
For instance, there are about 14 lakh anganwadi workers in the country providing health and nutrition services to over eight crore beneficiaries. Even though their services are significant, they are given 'honorary' payment. In most states, they are paid about Rs 5,000 per month which is lower than minimum wage prescribed for government employees. Even the salaries are delayed or paid irregularly.
A study of six states by Center for Equity Studies (2016) revealed that 35% of the workers did not receive their previous month's salaries, 50% felt that funds they received for running day-to-day activities of center were inadequate and 40% reported spending their own money to keep the center's activities going.
Similarly, though teachers are paid around Rs 50,000, the recruitment is low. Various governments do not fill vacancies and they resort to some form of contract or part-time teachers, whose payment is at places as low as Rs 3,700. In Gujarat, a case filed showed that some teachers have not even paid minimum wages. Despite a Gujarat High Court order, the grim situation continues. The Supreme Court has not delivered final verdict for four years.

In Madhya Pradesh, a nurse staff at the Nutrition Rehabilitation was paid Rs 10,000, though the work included night shifts. Information on such incidents is not in the public domain.

Pathetic conditions

The workers face innumerable obstacles. The pathetic condition of the workers reflects in their daily struggles. Their grievances are never addressed and they have to pacify bureaucrats as well as public in times of crises. The training is often poor and there is no accountability. Their constant reporting to higher-ups creates tensions and constant hostility. Lack of training leads to inefficient performance.
Though the website of the ministry of women and child development provides for insurance and maternity leave benefits, none of the provisions have been implemented. The workers are also over-burdened with other jobs like election duty and survey fr government departments.
The future of these 'marginalised' workers seems to be grim. There was not much to cheer about in budget of February 2018. They are part of the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) programme which is the world's largest.
The All-India Federation of Anganwadi Workers and Helpers (AIFAWH) has expressed its unhappiness against the present government and organized strikes for increase in wages and working condition last year. Over 60 lakh scheme workers including anganwadi workers and helpers voiced their strong disappointment with meagre allocation of finance.
Their struggle for better living condition is still continuing and government has not done much to redress their grievances. As their work is of prime importance, they should be provided with adequate financial facilities and social assistance.
---
*Writer from everywhere and anywhere is interested in social justice

Comments

Modi’s Israel visit strengthened Pakistan’s hand in US–Iran truce: Ex-Indian diplomat

By Jag Jivan M. K. Bhadrakumar , a career diplomat with three decades of service in postings across the former Soviet Union, Pakistan, Iran, Afghanistan, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Germany, and Turkey, has warned that the current truce in the US–Iran war is “fragile and ridden with contradictions.” Writing in his blog India Punchline , Bhadrakumar argues that while Pakistan has emerged as a surprising broker of dialogue, the durability of the ceasefire remains uncertain.

Incarceration of Prof Saibaba 'revives' the question: What is crime, who is criminal?

By Kunal Pant* In 2016, a Supreme Court Judge asked the state of Maharashtra, “Do you want to extract a pound of flesh?” The statement was directed against the state for contesting the bail plea of Delhi University Professor GN Saibaba. Saibaba was arrested in 2014, a justification for which was to prevent him from committing what the police called “anti-national activities.”

Why Indo-Pak relations have been on 'knife’s edge' , hostilities may remain for long

By Utkarsh Bajpai* The past few decades have seen strides being made in all aspects of life – from sticks and stones to weaponry. The extreme case of this phenomenon has been nuclear weapons. The menace caused by nuclear weapons in the past is unforgettable. Images of Hiroshima and Nagasaki from 1945 come to mind, after the United States dropped two atomic bombs on the cities.

Food security? Gujarat govt puts more than 5 lakh ration cards in the 'silent' category

By Pankti Jog* A new statistical report uploaded by the Gujarat government on the national food security portal shows that ensuring food security for the marginalized community is still not a priority of the state. The statistical report, uploaded on December 24, highlights many weaknesses in implementing the National Food Security Act (NFSA) in state.

Manufacturing, services: India's low-skill, middle-skill labour remains underemployed

By Francis Kuriakose* The Indian economy was in a state of deceleration well before Covid-19 made its impact in early 2020. This can be inferred from the declining trends of four important macroeconomic variables that indicate the health of the economy in the last quarter of 2019.

The soundtrack of resistance: How 'Sada Sada Ya Nabi' is fueling the Iran war

By Syed Ali Mujtaba* The Persian track “ Sada Sada Ya Nabi ye ” by Hossein Sotoodeh has taken the world by storm. This viral media has cut across linguistic barriers to achieve cult status, reaching over 10 million views. The electrifying music and passionate rendition by the Iranian singer have resonated across the globe, particularly as the high-intensity military conflict involving Iran entered its second month in March 2026.

Lata Mangeshkar, a Dalit from Devdasi family, 'refused to sing a song' about Ambedkar

By Pramod Ranjan* An artist is known and respected for her art. But she is equally, or even more so known and respected for her social concerns. An artist's social concerns or in other words, her worldview, give a direction and purpose to her art. History remembers only such artists whose social concerns are deep, reasoned and of durable importance. Lata Mangeshkar (28 September 1929 – 6 February 2022) was a celebrated playback singer of the Hindi film industry. She was the uncrowned queen of Indian music for over seven decades. Her popularity was unmatched. Her songs were heard and admired not only in India but also in Pakistan, Bangladesh and many other South Asian countries. In this article, we will focus on her social concerns. Lata lived for 92 long years. Music ran in her blood. Her father also belonged to the world of music. Her two sisters, Asha Bhonsle and Usha Mangeshkar, are well-known singers. Lata might have been born in Indore but the blood of a famous Devdasi family...

School closures across states raise concerns amid Govt of India claims of improved access

By A Representative A recent report has raised concerns over the closure and merger of government schools in several Indian states, particularly in Bihar, where a significant number of institutions have reportedly been shut down or earmarked for closure.

Health activist group raises concerns over HPV vaccination drive, seeks temporary halt

By A Representative Swasthya Adhikar Manch, a public health advocacy group, has urged the Union government to ensure greater accountability and transparency in the ongoing Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination campaign, and called for its temporary suspension pending a comprehensive review. In a letter addressed to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, the group flagged what it described as unresolved concerns surrounding the nationwide rollout of the HPV vaccine, which began on February 28, 2026. The campaign targets 14-year-old girls and involves administering Gardasil, a quadrivalent vaccine intended to protect against certain strains of HPV linked to cervical cancer.

Search This Blog