STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Justice Tashi Rabstan of J and K High Court Jammu Wing on Thursday directed Social Welfare Department to allow the adhoc Anganwadi Workers/Helpers to continue in the Centres where they are presently working in terms of their engagement/extension orders and also restrained the State from replacing these workers by any other temporary arrangement/ substitute.
The direction came in response to a petition filed by adhoc Anganwadi Workers/Helpers who were aggrieved of the Government Order No.13-SMD of 2015 dated 22nd April 2015 issued by the Mission Director, ICDS, J and K, terminating the stop gap/adhoc arrangements of all Anganwadi Workers.
Court on Thursday put a specific query to Deputy AG Ranjeet Jamwal whether the Anganwadi Centres in which the petitioners have been working are closed or not. The Deputy AG in response informed that the Centres are not closed. He also said that the respondents are in a process to select such workers on permanent basis. He, however, sought three weeks’ time to file affidavit as well as response with the assurance that the petitioners would be considered for their appointments as and when posts are filled up on permanent basis.
Taking serious note, the Court observed that it is strange that the respondents with one single stroke have terminated the services of all stop gap/adhoc Anganwadi Workers with immediate effect without making any alternate arrangement to function the Anganwadi Centres. The court observed that the services of Anganwadi workers are still required by the respondents, therefore, respondents are required to be restrained from replacing the petitioners by any other temporary arrangement/ substitute. Respondents were also directed to allow the petitioners to continue in the Centres where they are presently working in terms of their engagement/extension orders. “However, this order is subject to objections from other side and till next date of hearing before the Bench only”, the court said. Advocate F.A Natnoo appeared for the petitioners.JNF