Tripura High Court Orders State Government to Provide Gratuity to Anganwadi Workers

In a landmark decision, the Tripura High Court has directed the State Government to grant gratuity to Anganwadi workers and their assistants in accordance with the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972. The ruling, delivered by a single bench led by Judge S Datta Purukayastha, comes in response to a writ petition filed by 20 Anganwadi workers and their assistants seeking post-retirement benefits.

The verdict, issued on Thursday, follows a series of hearings and is based on a precedent set by the Supreme Court in 2021, which mandated gratuity for Anganwadi workers based on a case from Gujarat. Despite their requests to the State Government for gratuity benefits, the social welfare and social education department did not address their demands, prompting the workers to approach the High Court in 2023.

The High Court’s ruling reaffirmed the applicability of the Payment of Gratuity Act, 1972 to Anganwadi workers and their assistants, emphasizing their entitlement to gratuity as a post-retirement benefit. The decision will benefit not only the 20 retired petitioners but also approximately 10,000 Anganwadi workers across the state.

Counsel Purushottam Roy Barman, who represented the petitioners, stated, “The High Court has directed the state government to pay gratuity along with seven percent interest under the gratuity act.” This verdict marks a significant victory for Anganwadi workers, ensuring their rights and financial security after years of dedicated service to the community.

Source Link

If you like this story, share it with a friend!