Gratuity for Anganwadi employees: benefit to 60,657 persons in the state

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Supreme Court order that Anganwadi employees are also entitled to gratuity is providing relief to 60,657 employees in the state. There are 33,115 workers and 32,986 helpers in 33,115 Anganwadis in Kerala. 129 workers are in mini anganwadis. 5,444 temporary employees from various districts will only be allowed for gratuity only if they are given permanent appointments. No permanent appointment has been made since November 26, 2019.

Anganwadis are institutions that fall under the 'Establishment' category of the Gratuity Act, which provides a commendable service in matters including child nutrition and education, and therefore the Supreme Court bench directed the Central and State Governments to jointly revise the service rules and pay scale of the Anganwadi staff.

In 2019, the honorarium of Anganwadi employees was increased. The honorarium for employees has been increased to Rs 12,000 and for helpers to Rs 8,000 following repeated strikes.

Employees pay Rs 500 per month to the welfare fund. Gratuity is the amount deducted from ICDS salary and is given at the time of pension. However, there are complaints that last year's pensioners did not even get that amount. INTUC members has welcomed this decision and demanded an immediate implementation.