C.X. THRESIA Vs. UNION OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioners, who are Anganwadi workers and helpers, have approached this Court dissatisfied with the quantum of honorarium paid to them.

(2.) The petitioners allege that after the introduction of the Integrated Child Development Service Scheme (ICDS for short) in the year 1975, the Balawady/Anganwadi workers and helpers like the petitioners became the functionaries for implementing the ICDS scheme. At the beginning of the scheme, an Anganwadi worker (non-matriculate) was paid honorarium of Rs.100/- per month and a matriculate worker was paid Rs.150/- per month. Anganwadi helpers were paid at the rate of Rs.35/- per month. As of now, the Anganwadi workers are getting a total emolument of Rs.4,000/- which is shared by the Government of India and the State of Kerala in the ratio 3:1. The helpers are getting a total emolument of Rs.2500/-, out of which Rs.1500/- is paid by the Central Government and the balance Rs.1,000/- is paid by the State Government.

(3.) The petitioners allege that other than the duties as Anganwadi workers and helpers, they are preparing food for children, distributing nutritious snacks, giving pre-school education and are conducting house visits to check up pregnant woman, which finishes by about 1 p.m. The petitioners are pulled into every governmental scheme. The petitioners are expected to be part of the pulse polio campaigns and are roped in animal census and also to organize women's group and start savings group among them.