The Tripura government plans to challenge a High Court ruling that grants gratuity benefits to Anganwadi workers and helpers under the ICDS project, following a May judgment influenced by a similar Supreme Court verdict in Gujarat. The ruling mandates retrospective application, ensuring all Anganwadi workers and helpers, including retirees, are eligible for gratuity benefits.
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AGARTALA: The Tripura government is preparing to challenge a recent High Court ruling that grants gratuity benefits to Anganwadi workers and helpers employed under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) project. This move follows a High Court judgment in May this year, where the bench, led by Justice S Datta Purakayastha, ruled in favor of the Anganwadi workers and helpers, stating they are eligible for benefits under the Gratuity Act.
The High Court’s decision was influenced by a Supreme Court verdict related to a similar petition filed by Anganwadi workers in Gujarat. According to the High Court’s directive, the benefits would be applied retrospectively, ensuring that all Anganwadi workers and helpers, including those who had retired, would be eligible for gratuity.
Reacting to inquiries on this issue, Social Welfare and Social Education Minister Tinku Roy expressed the state government’s stance.
He remarked-
“Tripura is not the only state where Anganwadi workers and helpers are ineligible for gratuity benefits. The state government has decided to challenge the High Court verdict by filing a petition in the Supreme Court.”
The High Court order potentially impacts over 10,000 in-service and retired Anganwadi workers and helpers, making them eligible for the gratuity benefits. Despite this, the Tripura government disagrees with the directive and has announced its decision to appeal the ruling.
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The High Court of Tripura declared that Anganwadi workers are entitled to coverage under the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972, after considering 22 petitions from retired workers who were employed under the ICDS scheme. The court referenced a Supreme Court ruling from a similar case in Gujarat to support its judgment.
Following the High Court’s order, the state’s Social Welfare and Social Education Department received numerous applications from former Anganwadi workers seeking gratuity benefits. However, the department was unable to process these applications without the government’s approval.
Minister Tinku Roy has publicly confirmed the government’s intention to challenge the High Court’s decision.
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He stated-
“Most other states do not have a policy to provide gratuity to Anganwadi workers. We will be appealing the High Court’s order to the Supreme Court.”
