Saturday, February 8, 2025

Anganwadi workers, helpers entitled for gratuity: Supreme Court

Anganwadi workers and helpers appointed to work in Anganwadi centres, set up under the Integrated Child Development Scheme are entitled to gratuity under the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972, the Supreme Court said on Monday.

A bench of Justices Ajay Rastogi and Abhay S Oka said that because of the provisions of the National Food Security Act, 2013 and Section 11 of the Right To Education Act, Anganwadi centres also perform statutory duties and have become an extended arm of the government.

The Supreme Court notified that the Anganwadi workers and helpers take care of the nutrition needs of around 158 million children. They were entitled to gratuity which is a basic social security measure.

The appeals arose out of writ petitions filed by the District Development Officer and two other officers for taking exception to the orders passed by the Controlling Authority which said that Anganwadi Workers and Anganwadi Helpers are entitled to gratuity under the 1972 Act.

A Bench of Justices Ajay Rastogi and A.K. Oka rued that how these workers and helpers, who performed a bouquet of vital services at the grassroots level and were often the bridge between the government and beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act and the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS).

They were made to fight so hard and for so long for the recognition of their right to be paid gratuity under the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972.

The bench said, “The 1972 (Payment of Gratuity) Act will apply to Anganwadi centres and in turn to AWWs (Anganwadi Workers) and AWHs (Anganwadi Helpers).”

Justice Oka said in a separate judgement, “The Anganwadi centres have, thus, become an extended arm of the Government in view of the enactment of the National Food Security Act, 2013 and the Rules framed by the Government of Gujarat. The Anganwadi centres have been established to give effect to the obligations of the State defined under Article 47 of the Constitution. It can be safely said that the posts of AWWs and AWHs are statutory posts.”

The bench said, “Implementation of very important and innovative provisions relating to children, pregnant women as well as lactating mothers under the 2013 Act has been entrusted to them.”

The bench future said, “It is thus impossible to accept the contention that the job assigned to AWWs and AWHs is a part­ time job. The Government Resolution dated November 25, 2019, which prescribes duties of AWWs and AWHs, does not lay down that their job is a part-­time job. Considering the nature of duties specified thereunder, it is full­time employment.”

The apex court said, “For all this, they are being paid very meagre remuneration and paltry benefits under an insurance scheme of the Central Government. It is high time that the Central Government and State Governments take serious note of the plight of AWWs and AWHs who are expected to render such important services to the society.”

Editorial

Deloitte, PWC, EY, KPMG to Hire 1 Lakh People in India in FY25

According to estimates from top company officials and industry...

Higher EPS Pension Application Stuck: A Step-by-Step Guide to Fix

Nearly 97,640 Provident Fund (PF) members and pensioners under...

Deloitte, PwC, EY, KPMG Outpace Global Growth for India Divisions

The Indian divisions of Deloitte, PwC, EY, and KPMG...

EPS-95 Higher Pension Update: Less Than 1% Cases Settled So Far

Supreme Court Ruling and EPFO’s Higher Pension Rollout The Employees’...

Strong Job Growth and Salary Increases Expected in IT Sector

India's IT sector is on track for significant growth,...

Must Read

Infosys, Rolls-Royce launch Aerospace Engg & Digital Innovation Centre

IT major, Infosys and Rolls-Royce, a leading industrial technology...

Jeff Bezos, and Elon Musk are against work-life balance, Why?

However, there have been various statements from the top...

Tata Electronics is planning to hire nearly 35000 people, Apply Here

A greenfield venture of the Tata Group manufactures precision electronic...

TCS iON Offers Free Learning Programs for Career Enhancement

TCS iON, a strategic unit of Tata Consultancy Services...

ICRA appoints Shubham Jain as Head of Group Strategy and BT

ICRA Limited has appointed Shubham Jain as the Head...

Intel is on a hiring spree; Apply here for various jobs & Internships

An American multinational corporation and technology company, Intel is...

Tech Mahindra supports side gigs amid moonlighting- CP Gurnani

IT major, Tech Mahindra CEO and MD, C P Gurnani...

TCS Women Hiring: Walk-in drive on Jan 21, Registration ends on Jan 18

India's largest IT services provider, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)...

Related Articles

Sheenu Pradhan
Sheenu Pradhanhttps://sightsinplus.com/
Sheenu Pradhan, Editor Content, SightsIn Plus. She has over 8 years of experience in human resources. Prior to this, she has been associated with Wictor Chemicals India, Wipro, and Shakti Plas Industry.