Mysuru: Anganwadi workers (AWWs), earning a meagre honorarium of Rs 10,000 a month and working seven hours a day from 9am, now face two additional responsibilities. Their services are being utilised for two non-Integrated Child Development Services Scheme (ICDS) tasks — verifying the status of Gruha Lakshmi beneficiaries and serving in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR).According to sources in the state Women and Child Development Department, AWWs have been asked to verify the living status of Gruha Lakshmi beneficiaries as part of an ongoing review. Based on their reports, the names of deceased women are being removed from the database. From July, they are also being deployed as booth-level officers (BLOs) during the SIR.“In a few districts, the Anganwadi workers are asked to submit the status of the Gruha Lakshmi beneficiaries,” said K Somashekar Yadgir, state president of the Karnataka State United Anganwadi Workers Association (affiliated with AIUTUC).An officer from the department confirmed that, along with AWWs, supervisors are also being used to verify beneficiary status.According to M Umadevi, the association’s secretary, workers are now also being asked to join the SIR. “This is the admission time in Anganwadis. We are here to help children, newborns, lactating mothers, and pregnant women. We have the responsibility of looking after our children in centres besides ensuring all the beneficiaries will get the nutritious food, vaccines, health advisories on time,” he said.“If we cite our works get disrupted for months together due to SIR, we are asked to work after the Anganavadi timings till late in the evening. Is it possible to carry out duty post sunset in villages for women?” she questioned.Officials from the department said the decisions were taken by senior officials in accordance with EC directions. “Only govt can intervene and help these workers. As per the govt rule, the Anganavadi workers can’t be hired for non-ICDS-related works,” he explained.
