Guwahati, August 2: The Gauhati High Court has issued a stay order on the appointment of over 13,000 anganwadi workers in Assam. A division bench of the High Court comprising Chief Justice Salameswar and Justice Anima Hazarika issued the stay order following a PIL filed by Rita Devi, a lawyer, who alleged gross anomalies in the procedure for the selection of anganwadi workers.

The petitioner said during the recruitment of anganwadi workers by the state Social Welfare Department, a section of politicians and officers had indulged in various malpractices, including recommending names of workers belonging to the ruling party. Over 13,000 anganwadi workers, who were already issued appointment letters, have been directly affected by this stay order.

The petitioner complained that the local-level selection committee members had flouted various rules laid down by the Social Welfare Department in selecting the candidates. One major rule flouted was that the candidate selected had to be from within the same panchayat area where the vacancy arose, the petitioner said.

The High Court in its interim order has also asked the state Government to file an affidavit clarifying its position and fixed August 27 as the next date of hearing. The petitioner also pointed out that while the Persons with Disabalities Act of 1995 clearly stated that at least three per cent jobs were to be reserved for physically challenged candidates, the department had failed to notify this reservation.