Chandigarh: Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Thursday urged the striking anganwadi workers and helpers of the state not to get misled or instigated by political leaders, as in the past seven years several steps have been taken by the state government to safeguard their interests.

Addressing the media here, Khattar said, “We have taken several concrete steps in the interest of anganwadi workers and helpers. In December last year, the honorarium of anganwadi workers and helpers was increased by Rs 850 and Rs 736, respectively.”

“Haryana is among the first three states where the highest honorarium is being given. In north India, Haryana ranks first, ” he added.

The Chief Minister said that Rs 12661 is given to the anganwadi worker with more than 10 years of experience, while Rs 11401 is being given to those with less than 10 years of experience.

In Punjab, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Rajasthan, Puducherry and West Bengal, Khattar said anganwadi workers are getting Rs 9500, Rs 6500, Rs 10000, Rs 9678, Rs 10500, Rs 6540 and Rs 6750, respectively.

“We have increased their honorarium from time to time. In 2014, the honorarium of anganwadi workers was Rs 7500 per month, which has now been increased to Rs 12661. Similarly, the honorarium of the helpers was Rs 3500 per month in 2014, which has now gone up to Rs 6781, ” ML Khattar said.