AP HC stays promotion of Anganwadi workers as EOs over 'irregularities'

Amaravati: Andhra Pradesh High Court has stayed the promotion of Anganwadi workers as extension officers in the Women Development and Child Welfare Department. The AP government had recently issued a notification to fill up the posts of 560 Extension Officers (EOs) in Anganwadi Centers.

These posts were to be filled from the pool of eligible contract workers and supervisors working in Anganwadi centers.

The eligibility for the posts was a degree. On September 18, 38,000 Anganwadi teachers appeared in the written test. It was followed by an oral test. There were 45 marks for the written test. Five marks were for the oral test.

As per the GO, it is mandatory to conduct written exams as well as English proficiency tests while appointing extension officers. However, the norm was violated. Some of the aspirants alleged that a few people were being selected without conducting oral tests.

Several petitions were filed in the High Court against the promotion process. After hearing the batch of petitions, Justice K Manmadha Rao passed the interim orders and stayed the recruitment process. The court issued notices to the Principal Secretary, Women Development and Child Welfare, and the ICDS Project Director. The case has been adjourned for four weeks.