UP News: The Yogi government of Uttar Pradesh has given a big and relief gift to lakhs of Anganwadi workers and assistants providing services at the grassroots level across the state. In the important cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, it was decided that now three sarees will be provided to these women workers every year instead of two. This step of the government will directly benefit more than 4.4 lakh Anganwadi sisters of the state. This decision will provide great convenience to these women workers who serve at the workplace wearing prescribed uniforms in their daily work.

The proposal was approved in the cabinet meeting

This welfare decision was given the green signal after several major proposals were discussed in the cabinet meeting held in the capital Lucknow. After the completion of the meeting, State Finance Minister Suresh Khanna while talking to the media gave formal information about this important decision. He said that at present a total of 1,90,145 Anganwadi centers are approved across Uttar Pradesh. As per rules, the same number of posts of workers and assistants have also been sanctioned at these centres. Keeping in mind the total number of sanctioned posts, the state government has decided to provide one additional saree to each employee. Thus, a total of 3,80,290 workers and assistants will get direct benefits of this new system.

The state government itself will bear the entire expense of the third saree.

Talking about the financial structure of the uniforms provided to Anganwadi workers, the Finance Minister clarified that in the system running till now, the central and state governments have been jointly bearing the expenses. Under the general scheme, two sarees are being given every year in the financial ratio of 60 and 40. In this, 60 percent share is given by the central government and 40 percent share is given by the state government. However, now it has been decided to give the third additional saree, the state government will bear the entire financial burden from its budget. No financial help will be taken from the central government in this.

More than Rs 19 crore will be spent from the government treasury

The government has also completed the necessary financial assessment to implement this new system. The estimated rate per saree has been fixed at Rs 500. According to this, a total expenditure of Rs 19 crore 1 lakh 45 thousand will be incurred from the state treasury on purchasing additional sarees for the workers and assistants posted on all the sanctioned posts across the state. The government has ensured the necessary funds for this so that this benefit can be extended to all the sisters on time.

Will provide great relief from washing and weather problems

It is mandatory for the workers and assistants working at Anganwadi centers to wear the dress code prescribed by the department. She runs her center in the same attire and provides door-to-door services in various villages and localities. Due to getting only two sarees in a year, she had to face many practical problems. She was troubled by problems like continuous use, frequent washing, dampness during rainy and summer season and damage to her saree during work. Often there was a lack of alternatives when the sarees got torn or dirty. Now by getting the third saree every year, this problem will be completely solved and they will be able to discharge their responsibilities with respect and confidence.

Anganwadi sisters are the strong backbone of nutrition and health services

In Uttar Pradesh, the role of Anganwadi centers is considered most important in taking care of the health of women and children till the last rung of the society. Through these centres, supplementary nutritional food is regularly distributed to infants aged between six months to six years, pregnant women and lactating mothers. Apart from this, the responsibility of taking care of the nutrition and health of adolescent girls aged 14 to 18 years in the aspirational districts of the state also lies on the shoulders of these centres. These sisters work hard day and night to defeat malnutrition, spread awareness about vaccination and implement government schemes. This decision of Yogi government is being seen as a positive respect towards his loyalty, dedication and hard work.