Maharashtra to give anganwadi workers and helpers Rs 2,000 Bhaubeej gift before Diwali

The Maharashtra government has announced relief for the state's anganwadi workers and helpers. On the occasion of the coming Diwali, the state will give every worker and helper Rs 2,000 as a "Bhaubeej gift". Women and Child Development Minister Aditi Tatkare made the announcement.

The amount will be credited directly to the bank accounts of the employees concerned, and before Diwali. This means the money will be in their hands at the time of festival shopping.

Anganwadi workers and helpers work across the state under the Maharashtra government's Integrated Child Development Services scheme. According to official government figures, the state currently has 1,08,627 anganwadi workers and 1,05,470 anganwadi helpers. Taken together, 2,14,097 posts are filled, and all of them will directly benefit from the Bhaubeej gift.

To implement the scheme, the state government has sanctioned and made available Rs 42.81 crore (Rs 42,81,94,000). The government has thus given priority to the festive joy of its women employees while managing the financial burden.

Speaking on the decision, Minister Aditi Tatkare said anganwadi workers and helpers discharge with full sincerity the responsibility for the health and nutrition of the state's pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and young children. The main aim of the decision, she said, is that these women, who work day and night in the service of these sections of society, have a sweet Diwali and receive some financial support for the festival.

The decision was taken under the guidance of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Ajit Pawar. There is an atmosphere of joy among all the workers and helpers in the state. With the money reaching their accounts before Diwali, the women have received considerable relief for shopping.