Will The Mid-Day Meal Cook Itself?

Forty-year-old Babli, an Anganwadi worker from Nuh, Haryana, claims that the Haryana government has not provided funds to refill the cooking gas cylinders at Anganwadi centres, for the past five years. While the government allocates empty cylinders to the Anganwadi centres, they have consistently failed to supply them with cooking gas, claimed Babli.

“What are we supposed to do with these empty cylinders?” Babli asked, adding that she and other workers like her have repeatedly contacted the Department of Women and Child Development, urging them to provide funds for refilling the cylinders. However she said the department's response was consistent: “Fill the cylinders on your own, and we'll reimburse you later.”

The promises of reimbursement often go unfulfilled, "Every time we asked them for the funds, they defer it, citing that the budget hasn't been allocated yet, saying 'Abhi budget nahi aya hai (the budget has not been allocated yet).' We have no way of knowing whether these funds are indeed unavailable, or if they are being misused elsewhere," Babli said.

“We repeatedly protested and went on strikes in the state to demand that the government give us cooking gas or raise our salary, but five years have passed and the government has not yet listened to us. We have been purchasing cooking gas for the past five years with money from our salaries or household funds. Our protests have not yet resulted in a solution,” she added.

Many Anganwadi workers in Haryana have expressed similar concerns. They have staged several protests alongwith social health workers including ASHA workers, since 2018. At these protests the workers raise various issues including their meagre salaries, heavy workloads and shortages of necessities.

While talking about salary, Babli said, “Although we are supposed to receive Rs. 12,661 per month, we in fact only get Rs. 9,661. They give us Rs 3,000 at sporadic intervals, sometimes every three months, sometimes every six months.

“They never pay us our entire salary in one month, they only pay half of it. Even our Anganwadi helpers are paid a pitiful salary of Rs 6,000 per month, which is deducted every month. In addition, we also have to meet our household expenses with this minimum salary.

“We have to refill the LPG cylinder every 15 days as it empties quickly, which costs us around Rs 2,500 every month just for gas. We have very little left to save or spend on other necessities. We filed a complaint with the Deputy Commissioner regarding the non-availability of cooking gas. In response, they suggested that we simply distribute the food rations as they come, without cooking.

“However, if we are able and willing to prepare meals, we have the option to do so. Then he also said, ‘How long will you continue to refill the gas from your end? If you find it challenging, you can simply distribute the raw food items such as flour, rice, etc’.

“But if we don't cook, we are questioned about why we aren't preparing meals there when there is ration available, so we are compelled to top off the cylinders with our meagre salary.”

Taheera, an Anganwadi worker, said, "I am based in the Mewat region of Haryana, where many women lack education and cannot understand that we are refilling gas cylinders using our own money. Sometimes, when we run out of ration, our supervisor tells us that the supply hasn't arrived yet and advises us to bring it from our own homes, prepare meals, and distribute it to women and children.

“How long can we continue bringing these supplies from our homes? We receive a very modest salary, and with this limited income, we face the dilemma of whether to sustain our households or arrange gas and rations for the Anganwadi centres. This is causing us a lot of problems.

“We have protested demanding an increase in our salaries and funds for cooking gas, but no one paid attention to our pleas. To make matters worse, when we hold protests to raise our demands, then the government deducts our salaries for those months we spend participating in the protests.”

"We are very wealthy, you see, because we have a salary of Rs 10,000, which is quite substantial," she added sarcastically. Our leaders give us so much work because of this. She muttered in frustration, ‘Haan, hum bahot zyada ameer hai, sach mein’ (Yes, we are incredibly wealthy, indeed)”.

Ramzan Chaudhary, a social activist and advocate based in Nuh, Haryana, has confirmed that Anganwadi workers have not received any funding for refilling cylinders over the past five years. “The government does what it deems fit and goes where it sees benefit. Despite numerous women (ASHA Workers) conducting such significant protests within the state, the government remains indifferent to their cause. The government seems disconnected from the ground reality," Chaudhary said.

“This government doesn't seem to care, whether it's women, children, or the economically disadvantaged. Anganwadi workers, teachers, and young people across the country are protesting for employment opportunities. People are protesting their demands all over the nation, and are frequently subjected to police brutality and made to leave the area and our government seems unaffected by it all, Chaudhary added.

While discussing the solutions to the problems faced by Anganwadi workers, Chaudhary said, "If the government wants, it can do anything. The government is like the head of a family. When there is a problem within a family, it is communicated to the family head, and then the family head works on finding a solution. Similarly, the government should listen to the issues of Anganwadi workers and work on their resolution rather than ignoring them.

“Any issue can be resolved if the government is open to hearing your concerns. It becomes difficult if you live under a government that doesn't care to deal with your problems. No matter how hard you work or how loud you speak, there might not be much of a benefit.”

He also claimed that "Department officials often have dealings with the government. They may accept financial incentives from the government, and in return, keep the government informed about any loopholes. Furthermore, Anganwadi workers are not entirely unified; they are influenced by political factors. This division, despite extensive protests, has hindered the emergence of a solution.

“If Anganwadi workers, their leaders, and supervisors could unite in a manner similar to the farmers who protested against the farm bills, they could compel the government to meet their demands. Both the BJP and Congress are quite similar. They primarily serve the wealthy and certain emotional narratives. Neither party significantly helps the economically disadvantaged. Simply changing the government doesn't always solve our problems. It's our awareness and unity that can make a difference. Our divisions are part of the problem.”

According to Chaudhary, “If Anganwadi workers truly want the government to work in their favour, they should be willing to use the law as a means of ensuring accountability. Otherwise, they risk being let down by the government that should serve them, much like what's happening currently.”

Maryam, an Anganwadi worker based in Nuh, Haryana, said, “Madam, we are very surprised about what is happening to us. We have prepared copies of all the funds to show how much money has been spent on cooking gas. Our supervisor informed us that these copies have been forwarded. We protested several times with the union and also wrote a letter to the Deputy Commissioner, but till now we have not received any relief”.

She also echoed concerns of her fellow Anganwadi workers who spoke with The Citizen about the absence of cooking gas funds and the recurring deductions from their meagre salaries. When questioned about the reason for not receiving their full salary, Maryam replied, “It's because of budget constraints; that's why they deduct a portion of our salary every month.”

While discussing the salary deductions, Maryam claimed that ASHA workers have been on a protest for the past three months, and as a result, their salary for these three months hasn't been paid. She added, "In Mewat, women are generally economically disadvantaged and less educated, and this situation is exploited. So, we often think that even if the payment is delayed, at least some money is coming in, and when we protest, we don't receive any amount of salary.

“However, it's not fair. How long can the government withhold our money? Everything has a limit. It's not like it's been just a few months; it has been 4 years, and we still don't receive the funds for cooking gas. This is very wrong. We have lost hope in the government.

According to 45-year-old Shabana, an Anganwadi worker based in Malab village in Nuh, "The government is corrupt. It just uses us but gives us nothing."

Social activist Ramzan Chaudhary said, “These are serious problems and formidable obstacles. These women, who frequently live in poverty, are carrying a heavy load. Everybody depends on them. Every official, including the village doctor and teachers, depend on them for various tasks.

“They delegate all the work to these women and then deduct some money from their salaries. Such exploitation is unjust for any woman. ‘Hum Beti padhao, beti bachao’ ki baat karte hain magar sach toh ye hai ki hume betiyo ka zara bhi khyaal nahi hai’ (We speak of educating and empowering our daughters, but the reality is that we don't even consider our daughters). That is my belief.’

The supervisor of the Anganwadi centre based in Nuh, Haryana, did not answer repeated calls from this reporter seeking their response to the claims made by the workers.