Agartala: The Tripura High Court on Thursday referred to a previous Supreme Court Judgement and stated that the Anganwadi workers and helpers of the state who are employed under the ICDS scheme are entitled to Gratuity benefit as per the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972.
This directive was issued by the single bench headed by Justice S Datta Purakayastha. The verdict also categorically stated that all the Anganwadi workers including those who had been retired would become eligible for the gratuity, senior advocate Purushuttam Roy Barman has said.
Barman represented as many as 22 petitioners including AWC workers and helpers who had retired from their service and were denied gratuity.
“The petitioners have urged the social welfare and social education department for their entitlements on completion of their service terms but their pleas were rejected prompting them to explore the legal recourse for justice,” he added.
The court’s decision not only mandates the payment of gratuity upon retirement within 30 days but also stipulates that any delay will incur interest at a fixed rate. Besides, the departmental order denying gratuity benefits now stands null and void after the Court’s intervention into the matter, he explained.
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According to the senior advocate, the Supreme Court of India had already passed an order in this regard. “The Supreme Court order was related to a case specific to Gujarat but as we all know the order of the Apex Court is applicable for all states.
The Government of Tripura didn’t bother to extend the gratuity benefits to the Anganwadi workers and helpers which led to the legal battle. This is a victory for the Anganwadi workers and helpers who discharge the most difficult duties but are always underpaid for their services. The pension they receive is also very less if compared to the other government services,” he added.
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