AVINASH AZAD
EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, Oct 8: It might sound strange but it's a fact that a section of Anganwari Workers, who were promoted as Supervisors, are performing their jobs without salary since December 2018.
Dozens of Aaganwari workers, who put in their hard efforts as front line Corona warriors, were promoted as Supervisor in December 2018, some of them have retired from the services during this period, but salaries have not been paid to them after promotion.
“Our promotions, at verge of retirement made us bankrupt, J&K converted from state to UT, but our suffering remained unnoticed”, said one of the promotee supervisors, adding that during this pandemic (COVID), they have been playing role of frontline corona warriors, but unfortunately their services and sacrifices were not being recognized by the government and their department as well.
“We are available 24x7 during this pandemic, we reached out to remotest areas of our respective jurisdiction, provided with ration to people during lockdown without caring about our own health, as most of us are above 55 years old”, said the supervisor regretting overlooking of their genuine issue of salary.
“On 7th of December, 2018 State Mission Director, ICDS J&K promoted 17 Anganwadi Workers in District Rajouri as Supervisors, and subsequently, the Director Programme Officer, ICDS Rajouri on 20th of December, 2018 deployed promotees for their new assignments”, said one of the Supervisors, adding that there are 19 other districts of J&K, and all the promoted supervisors have same story to narrate.
“It has been learnt from the insiders that their file is gathering dust in directorate, waiting for a final call from the Mission Director”, said an official of ICDS, adding that one can imagine how difficult it is to survive without salary, that too for around two years.
“We were made to wait for promotion for decades by the successive governments of erstwhile J&K state, most of us were appointed 36 years back, in 1983. Now J&K being directly under Centre’s control we were expecting justice, but the same is being denied to us”, said another supervisor.
“Once, we tried to meet Mission director ICDS J&K, but she instead of listening to us threatened to take action for directly approaching her, though she has been shifted to another department, and we hope the incumbent will do justice with us”, said the supervisor eagerly waiting for release of pending salary.
Nitu Gupta, Mission Director ICDS, J&K did not answer repeated phone calls by the scribe for her comment.
While Bipul Pathak, Principal Secretary Social Welfare Department when contacted said that he would look into the matter. |
