New Delhi
Maneka Gandhi gave away National Awards to Anganwadi workers for exceptional achievement for the year 2014-15 and 2015-16 in the presence of Minster of State for Women & Child Development, Krishna Raj.
The Awards were given away at a function in New Delhi . A total of 97 Anganwadi workers (49 for the year 2014-15 and 48 for 2015-16) from different states/UTs were conferred National level awards for the above years. Representatives from various States/UTs and heads of various organizations under the Ministry were also present at the function.
Addressing the anganwadi workers, Maneka Gandhi congratulated the award winners and lauded their valuable contribution in protecting the children and their mothers throughout the country even in remotest areas.
Highlighting the efforts being made by the WCD Ministry to improve the working condition of the anganwadi workers, the WCD Minister said that the States have been mandated to fill the vacancies of supervisors and 50 % of the vacancies should be filled by promoting the anganwadi workers. The States have also been asked not to deploy the anganwadi workers for other duties like public rallies and election duties so that they can focus completely on their assignments pertaining to children & pregnant women.
Minister of State for Women & Child Development, Krishna Raj said that the anganwadi workers should give priority to maintaining cleanliness to ensure the health of children in the anganwadis. Apart from giving good food, maintaining cleanliness will ensure healthy child and mother, she added.
Secretary WCD, Ms Leena Nair said that the anganwadi workers are the backbone of the world’s largest scheme i.e. ICDS in the field of child development and the success of ICDS rests on the commitment of frontline functionaries i.e. anganwadi wokers.
The scheme for awarding Angawadi Workers (AWWs) at the National Level and State Level was formulated by the Government during the year 2000-2001. Since then the scheme is being continued on a year to year basis.
National level award is given to the AWWs nominated by States/UTs out of the State Level/UT Level awardees. The number of nominations of AWWs at national level depends on the size of the State/UT and number of operational of ICDS Projects.
Selection of Anganwadi workers for the National Level Awards has been done out of State level awardees and their performance has been judged on the basis of contribution to (i) Supplementary Nutrition; (ii) Child Care; (iii) Convergence with Health Department; (iv) Pre-School Education; (v) Nutrition and Health Education (NHED); (vi) Community Participation; (vii) Cleanliness & Hygiene; and (viii) Innovations.
The Award comprises of Rs.25,000/- cash and a citation. National level Awards to AWWs for the year 2011-12, 2012-13 & 2013-14 were given to 118 awardees during a function held last year at New Delhi. Thus, awards pertaining to the last five years have been given.
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