Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, October 26 2009:
Consequent upon non-payment of salaries to about 600 employees of the Integrated Child Development Scheme under the Department of Social Welfare for the past six months, a major upheaval is imminent in the department.
Addressing a press meet at Manipur Press Club here this afternoon, general secretary of ICDS Employees' Union S Nirvarani said that agitation of all sorts would be launched in case the pending salaries are not released by November 15 .
Saying that a written appeal was submitted to the Social Welfare Minister in-charge on October 10 asking for release of the pending six months' salaries before the last Ningol Chakkouba festival, Nirvarani lamented that there was no response from the Government.
Director of the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India sent a letter to the Secretary of Social Welfare Department in July this year enquiring about non-payment of salaries to Supervisors, Anganwadi workers and helpers.
As per the Director's letter, the Government of India had already sanctioned a total amount of Rs 2888.69 lakhs in two instalments for ICDS (G) inclusive of the amount needed for payment of honorarium to Anganwadi workers and helpers, the general secretary said.
Further, the Ministry sanctioned Rs 761.32 lakhs as first instalment for ICDS (G) of 2009-10 .
However, the Ministry was yet to receive utilisation certificates and statement of expenditure for the amount it sanctioned.
The Director's letter directed the Department to submit utilisation certificates and statement of expenditure without further delay, Nirvarani quoted.
Claiming that the Government of Manipur did not give any reply to the letter of the Director of Ministry of Women and Child Development, she noted that such unscrupulous and irresponsible attitude seriously undermined the employees' union.
Already Anganwadi workers and helpers have decided to seal Anganwadi centres in case their honorariums are not paid at the earliest.
Taking due note of the Anganwadi workers and helpers' resolution, the ICDS Employees' Union appealed to wait till November 15 before launching different forms of agitation jointly.