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2025 Supreme(Guj) 1566
IN THE HIGH COURT OF GUJARAT AT AHMEDABAD
A.S. SUPEHIA, R.T. VACHHANI, JJ.
State of Gujarat and Others - Appellants
Versus
Adarsh Gujarat Anganwadi Union and Others - Respondents
Letters Patent Appeal No. 508 of 2025, Special Civil Application No. 8166 of 2015, Civil Application (For Stay) No. 1 of 2025
Decided On : 18-06-2025
Advocate Appeared:
For the Appellants : Kamal Trivedi, Vinay B. Vishen, Nirali Sarda
For the Respondents: Shalin Mehta, Aditi Raol, Vikramjit Banerjee, Kartik Dey, Vyoma K. Jhaveri
The court emphasized the urgent need for government reforms regarding the remuneration and working conditions of Anganwadi workers, asserting their crucial role in community service delivery.
Headnote:(A) Constitutional principles - Anganwadi Workers and Helpers - Reiteration of the necessity for improved remuneration and service conditions for Anganwadi workers in light of Supreme Court observations - The need for serious consideration by Central and State Governments regarding the working conditions and job security of Anganwadi personnel. (Paras 1-2)
(B) Rights of Workers - Legal framework compelling the government to address the plight of Anganwadi workers and helpers, emphasizing their critical role in community service. (Paras 1-2)
Facts of the case:
The petition highlights the dire state of Anganwadi workers, who receive inadequate pay and lack job security despite being the backbone of the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS).
Findings of Court:
The court observed that there is a pressing need for the government to evaluate and reform the remuneration and working conditions of Anganwadi workers/helpers.
Issues: Whether adequate steps are being taken by the Central Government to improve the wages and service conditions of Anganwadi workers/helpers?
Ratio Decidendi: The Supreme Court's observations emphasized the urgent need for the government to address the inadequate remuneration and working conditions of Anganwadi workers, underlining their importance in delivering vital community services.
Result: Matter adjourned for further consideration with a request for the government to provide information on current wages.
| Table of Content |
|---|
| 1. observation on the plight of anganwadi workers. (Para 1) |
| 2. request for information on wages of anganwadi workers. (Para 2) |
| 3. next steps for the proceedings. (Para 3) |
ORDER :
1. During the course of the hearing, this Court has perused the observation recorded by the Supreme Court in the case of Maniben Maganbhai Baria Vs. District Development Officer, Dahod , (2022) 16 SCC 343 , expressing the dire state of the Anganwadi workers and helpers, more particularly in paragraph No.27, wherein, it has been recorded as under:
“For all this, they are being paid very meagre remuneration and paltry benefits under an insurance scheme of the Central Government. It is high time that the Central Government and State Governments take serious note of the plight of AWWs and AWHs who are expected to render such important services to the society.”
And, further in paragraph No.95 as under:
“Before parting with the order, I would like to observe that the time has come when the Central Government/State Governments has to collectively consider as to whether looking to the nature of work and exponential increase in the Anganwadi centres and to ensure quality in the delivery of services and community participation and calling upon Anganwadi workers/helpers to perform multiple tasks ranging from delivery of vital services to the effective convergence of various sectoral services, the existing working conditions of Anganwadi workers/helpers coupled with the lack of job security which albeit results in lack of motivation to serve in disadvantaged areas with limited sensitivity towards the delivery of services to such underpriviledged groups, still being the backbone of the scheme introduced by ICDS, time has come to find out modalities in providing better service conditions of the voiceless commensurate to the nature of job discharged by them.”
2. When it was inquired from Mr. Vikramjit Banerjee, learned Additional Solicitor General of India and Mr. Kamal Trivedi, learned Advocate General about any steps if are being taken by the Central Government for improving the service conditions of the Anganwadi workers/helpers and also to further revise their wages/honorarium, he has requested for some time in order to gather the information. He has submitted that a Pan-India information is required to be obtained relating to wages/honorarium which is being paid to the Anganwadi workers/helpers, in respective States. Such information/data shall be produced by the next date of hearing.
3. In light of the aforesaid request, list the matter on 07.07.2025. Registry to place a copy of this order in each matter.
