A division bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court has delivered a significant ruling against an appeal filed by the state government, deciding in favor of Anganwadi workers. The legal dispute centered on the state government's decision to reduce or withhold its portion of the honorarium, which previously resulted in a contentious 48-month gap in payments. The court has now mandated that the state must clear these arrears, acknowledging the workers' right to their full compensation.
The Division Bench Observation
Presiding over the case, Justice Anand Pathak and Justice B.P. Sharma observed that the reduction in the state’s contribution, initiated in 2019, negatively impacted the overall benefits meant for these workers following an honorarium hike by the Central government. The court emphasized that Anganwadi workers and helpers provide essential services dedicated to the health and welfare of women and children, making the restoration of the state’s share both necessary and justifiable. During the hearings, Deputy Advocate General Abhijit Awasthi represented the state government, while advocate Shobhitaditya presented arguments on behalf of the Anganwadi organization.
Clarity on Gratuity and Interest
Regarding gratuity, the High Court upheld the decision made by the single-judge bench, affirming that eligible personnel must receive benefits consistent with Supreme Court guidelines. However, the court provided a specific clarification regarding the interest on arrears. It ruled that since there was no statutory provision for interest payments and no specific demand for interest had been included in the original petition, the directive regarding interest has been set aside.
Background of the Dispute
The conflict originated in 2019 when the Central government increased the honorarium for Anganwadi workers, but the state government subsequently lowered its matching contribution. While the state government eventually restored its contribution in 2023, the dispute over the 48-month period between 2019 and 2023 remained pending in the High Court. This latest judicial intervention paves the way for over two lakh Anganwadi workers, helpers, and mini-Anganwadi workers across the state to finally receive their outstanding dues and gratuity benefits.
