Anganwadi workers and helpers under the ICDS project in North Tripura submitted a memorandum demanding payment of pending honorariums, feeding bills, electricity charges, and other dues. The protesters sought regular monthly payments and reimbursement of expenses. The CDPO assured that pending payments would be processed within two days.
Anganwadi workers and helpers associated with the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) project in North Tripura on Tuesday submitted a memorandum to the Child Development Project Officer (CDPO), demanding immediate payment of pending honorariums and clearance of various outstanding dues.
The deputation was organized by workers and helpers attached to different Anganwadi centres functioning under the ICDS project. The memorandum was submitted at the Kadamtala CDPO office, where the workers voiced their concerns regarding delays in the disbursement of honorariums and other essential payments.
According to the protesters, a portion of their honorarium for March remains unpaid, while payments for subsequent months have also been delayed. They alleged that the irregular release of honorariums has created financial difficulties for many workers and helpers who depend on these earnings for their livelihood.
In their memorandum, the workers demanded that honorariums be released on a regular basis by the 10th day of every month to ensure financial stability and avoid recurring hardships.
Apart from honorariums, the deputation also sought the immediate clearance of several pending bills, including feeding bills, contingency expenses, electricity charges, and medicine-related expenditures that have reportedly remained unpaid since 2023. The workers claimed that the delay in payments has affected the smooth functioning of Anganwadi centres and created additional financial burdens on field-level staff.
The memorandum further highlighted the need for an increase in mobile recharge allowances. The workers stated that they frequently use their personal mobile phones for official communication, reporting, and coordination activities, resulting in additional expenses. They also requested reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenditures incurred during the past few years while carrying out official responsibilities.
Several participants in the deputation alleged that administrative delays have made it difficult to access financial assistance and raised concerns regarding the functioning of the project office.
As the CDPO was not present at the office during the deputation, the memorandum was handed over to a supervisor. Later, CDPO Biswajit Das reportedly spoke with the protesters over the phone and assured them that the pending honorarium payments would be processed within two days. He also informed them that the remaining demands would be forwarded to the appropriate higher authorities for consideration.
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Following the assurance from the CDPO, the Anganwadi workers and helpers withdrew their agitation programme, expressing hope that the promised action would be implemented without further delay.
