HC asks Punjab govt to consider paying interest to Anganwadi workers for delayed release of honorarium

During the hearing, the state counsel informed the bench that payments for April to September 2025 — amounting to Rs 4,500 per month for Anganwadi workers and Rs 2,250 per month for helpers — had now been released. The delay, the court was told, occurred due to “a technical issue in the mapping of the SNA (Single Nodal Agency) bank account on the PFMS (Public Financial Management System) portal,” which has since been resolved in coordination with the Government of India.

A compliance affidavit was also submitted in court, stating that funds had been released through the PFMS portal to all 155 blocks across Punjab and that payments were made by the Child Development Project Officers.

The bench, however, noted that while the arrears had been cleared, the workers had remained unpaid for six months. “What have you thought about giving them interest for the late payment?” CJ Nagu asked. “Otherwise, they will again come to court.”

The bench observed that since Punjab is a welfare state, it “may also consider awarding an appropriate quantum of interest to the Anganwadi workers who had not received their honorarium for several months.”

“We hope and expect that the state shall rise to the occasion and pass appropriate orders instead of rejecting this suggestion in a mechanical manner,” the bench said, directing that a decision on payment of interest be taken within 60 days.

At an earlier hearing on October 13, the court had recorded the state’s assurance that the withheld payments of around three to four months had been released, and directed the filing of a compliance affidavit by October 29.