As a major step towards the empowerment of women in Jammu and Kashmir the Administrative Council (AC) headed by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has approved the Human Resource Policy (HRP) for female Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) and helpers working in the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) of J&K.
The HRP will govern the engagement, leave(s), promotion and other important aspects of the AWWs and AWHs.
Government’s decision to frame a comprehensive human resource policy for the Anganwadi workers and helpers has provided a much needed security to the women workforce which has worked very hard to shape up the Anganwadi Department.
The new HR policy also stipulates the quantum of leave, eligibility for training/capacity building and process for termination of services. The services of Anganwadi Workers and Helpers shall end on attaining the age of 60 years and vacancy so arisen shall be filled as per prescribed procedure. The selections will be based purely on merit basis.
The government by coming up with a comprehensive policy for the Anganwadi workers has sent a message to them that they form an important part of the workforce and the helmsmen are committed for their welfare.
The implementation of the new HR policy would streamline the service books of the Anganwadi workers and helpers. They would get their wages on time and no one would tell them that they are contractual workers and could be thrown out anytime.
According to the new HR Policy AWWs and AWHs shall be re-designated as Sanginis (AWWs) and Sahayikas (AWHs). The unit for selection has also been re-defined in terms of electoral ward to remove any ambiguity in the selection process. The new policy also clearly lays down age criteria for selection, with domicile of UT being pre-requisite eligibility for competing in the selection process.
The Anganwadi workers and helpers are women. During Covid times they played a major role in fight against the pandemic and reached the places which were inaccessible. Their contribution in fight against the Covid will always be remembered.
Unfortunately this all important workforce comprising of women didn’t get the recognition and the facilities it deserved. This workforce has always remained under threat as the former rulers never made any sincere attempt to accommodate this all important workforce.
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