Crèche workers dismayed over having been left out from wage enhancement bounty in Union Budget

A crèche centre run by  Himali Bikas Sangathan at Barphok in West Sikkim

Nari Bikas Sangathan, Temi Tea Garden, South

Pragati Sangh, Rinchenpong, West Sikkim

A creche run by Sangam Samaj at Upper Polok in South Sikkim

SUBASH RAI
GANGTOK, 02 March: The Union Government’s decision to double the wages of Aaganwadi workers [click here for details] has left the crèche workers [aayas] dismayed on having been overlooked for a similar enhancement even though they handle similar responsibilities as the Aanganwadi workers, but are paid much lower.
There are 125 creche centres under the Rajiv Gandhi National Crèche Programme in Sikkim. These centres are manned by local NGOs under the supervision of the State Social Welfare Board [SSWB] and receive 90% funding as Centrally Sponsored Schemes [similar to ICDS centres] from the Ministry of Women and Child Welfare through the Central Social Welfare Board [CSWB] - a Government of India undertaking.

At present, two Aayas are deputed at every crèche unit on a consolidated monthly wages of Rs. 1000 each.
“Around three years back, this was just Rs. 400 per month,” informs an official of the SSWB while agreeing that wages of Aayas should have been increased as well.
The main purpose of the crèche programme is to assist working and ailing mothers by giving care to their wards from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. every working day.
“Our duties are more complicated than that of Aaganwadi workers as we have to look after children ranging from breastfeeding age to school going ones. Our salary should be at par with the Aaganwadi workers,” says Pinki Rai, one of the Aayas working at a creche centre at 6th Mile, Tadong.
She goes adding, “We receive our salary in two to three installments in a year and without any incentives.”
Crèche centres were started in Sikkim in1977 after SSWB was constituted in the year 1976. At present, these centres were spread all over the state from Uttarey and Sophaka in West Sikkim, bordering Nepal and 17th Mile near Tsomgo to Lachung in North Sikkim.
“17th Mile and Lachung’s centres are manned by the GREF,” an official informs.
Speaking to NOW!, an official of the CSWB deputed here at the SSWB, said, “The remuneration of the crèche workers will definitely increase because a proposal regarding it was passed during a meeting of the State Government Ministers with the Ministry of Women and Child Welfare in February 2008.”
He also informed the minutes of the meeting revealed that among the two Aayas, one will receive Rs. 2,000 per month while the helper will draw Rs. 1,500.
The official further informs that the crèche centres located in urban areas were also supposed to receive house rent of Rs. 500 per month. This was proposed at Rs. 250 for the rural areas.
“This facility is not available at present,” he confirmed.
Similarly, the 2008 proposal was supposed to increase existing nutritional package rate from Rs. 2.50 per child per day to Rs. 4 per day.
“This proposal is awaiting financial approval of the ministry,” the official said.
This assurance will also extend the hopes to the workers of the 10 condensed courses meant for dropouts and old-age women, short stay homes, helpline centres sponsored by CSWB through SSWB in the state.