There are 24.58 lakh anganwadi employees currently, including 12.93 lakh anganwadi workers and 11.65 lakh anganwadi helpers, working in 13.42 lakh operational anganwadis in the country. Currently, anganwadi workers in the country are entitled to Rs 3,000 per month, while anganwadi helpers are given Rs 1,500 per month. Following a statement released by the ministry last week on the entitlements given to the workers, including an insurance scheme, clothes, scholarships, etc., anganwadi workers have issued a counter statement saying that they will hit the streets to protest against the meagre entitlements. The row between women and child development minister Maneka Gandhi and anganwadi workers around the country does not seem to cool off soon. Most anganwadi workers are engaged over six hours daily.

Source: dna June 27, 2016 19:01 UTC