IMPHAL, Jan 13 : A state level convention on Integrated Child Development Service, ICDS, Manipur was held at the GM Hall by anganwadi workers and helpers union, Manipur.
Minster social welfare, N Loken Singh was chief guest. Other dignitaries present included O Joy, MLA and T Mangibaby Singh, chief whip CLP.
Speaking on the occasion, the social welfare minister N Loken said there are numerous Central government schemes meant for the uplift of the poorer masses but in Manipur most of them, including the ICDS, seldom work. This is because there are too many vested interested waiting to make illegal percentage cuts from the funds meant to run these projects, he said.
He said in a state where government schools have been literally abandoned by students, it is unlikely anganwadi centres would attract school going children.
However, he said he noticed that whenever there are Bal Bhog (meals) served, or the honorariums of workers and helpers are being distributed, there is always a crowd.
He said the government has a policy to absorb anganwadi workers who had put in 10 year service as supervisors and had reserved 25 percent seats during reservation, but this was challenged in the court and the case is still pending.
He said there are altogether 7000 anganwadi centres in Manipur and a project to construct building for these centres had been implemented.
He called for the mutual cooperation of workers, helpers, supervisors CDPOs and other functionaries of the project at different levels for this novel scheme to bring benefit for the state.
Special invitee, Com. Vijayalaxmi, general secretary of the All India Anganwadi Workers Federation also spoke.
She said ICDS workers not only run anganwadi centres, but also help in the implementation of other government projects, such as the pulse polio programme, the election photo identity card preparation, spreading health awareness in far flung villages, etc, and hence their services must be treated more seriously.
Reciprocally, their honorariums as well as TA/DA should be adequately and appropriately raised.
The Rs. 1000 that workers get and Rs. 500 that helpers get is nothing in meeting the needs of running a family in these days, she said.
She said there are 7 lakh ICDS centres in the whole of India and they must be given better facilities, she added.