Chennai: Retired noon-meal (nutrition) and anganwadi workers have accused the DMK government of deliberately misleading them over a promised pension increase.
Chief Minister M K Stalin had announced on January 24 that the monthly pension for nutrition and anganwadi workers would be raised from Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,400. The announcement also included doubling the gratuity from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 2 lakh and providing Rs 20,000 towards funeral expenses.
A government order was issued on February 13, raising expectations that the enhanced pension would be paid from March. However, pensioners said the Social Welfare Department has not issued the required operational guidelines, leading to a delay in implementation.
With the election now announced and the model code of conduct in force, they said funds can be allocated only for existing schemes and not for new initiatives. As a result, pensioners reported receiving only the usual Rs 2,000 for March and said the hike is unlikely until the election process concludes.
Office-bearers of the federation of Tamil Nadu nutrition and anganwadi associations said the February 13 order did not specify an effective date, and alleged the government had “deceived” them by creating expectations without ensuring timely rollout.
