By Mounesh Vishwakarma
Daijiworld Media Network—Bantwal (RD/CN)

 
Bantwal, Feb 24: The Anganwady centers that were hitherto functioning from 9.30 am to 1.30 pm have been directed by the state administration to function from 9.30 am to 4.00 pm.  The circular was issued on January 25, 2011, by the state women and child welfare department with effect from February 1, 2011. 
 
The revised timings will facilitate the working women in both rural and urban areas to drop their children at Anganwady centers where they will be taken care of till their return.  The department hoped that it will benefit both Anganawady workers and their assistants besides improving the attendance of children. 
 
Although the circular was issued in January, the revised timings are not being effectively implemented.  Prior to the circular, the Anganawady centers were functioning only for 4 hours a day and the increase in timings of has posed difficulties for the Anganawady workers.
 
Anganawady workers are in a dilemma whether the state administration will hike their pay for the revised work hours.  For Anganawady workers who were staging struggle since many years over hike in honorarium, pension, and status of government employees etc, the circular may work as boon with a view on their future. 
 
The revision of timings at the Anganawady centers widens the scope of giving fulltime state employee status for Anganawady workers.  The Anganawady workers will be in a position to demand that the state administration grant them pay on par with school teachers as well as other perks.
“Twenty percent of Anganawady centers in Dakshina Kannada district have already implemented the revision in timings,” informed women and child welfare deputy director Shakunthala.
 
“Circulars are being dispatched to child welfare project officers in order to convince Anganawady workers and assistants of the necessity to function for extended working hours. Anganawady centers across Dakshina Kannada district will function from 9.30 am to 4.00 pm by Tuesday March 1,” said Shakunthala.
 
The labour unions supporting the Anganawady workers union responded favorably to the circular. But they are holding talks with the state administration over hiking the pay of Anganawady employees and are planning to stage a protest in the first week of March.