Anganwadi worker sacked for having three children

Woman moves Bombay court saying ‘small family’ rule not applicable to her

An anganwadi worker in Maharashtra has approached the Bombay High Court challenging the state government’s decision to dismiss her from job for having more than two kids, thus not adhering to its ‘Small Family’ rules. The petitioner, Tanvi Sodaye, was dismissed from work in March, since she had three children. A letter from state authorities informed her that a 2014 Government Resolution (order) mandated that state employees in various departments, including the ICDS scheme, must not have more than two children.

Sodaye argued she was already pregnant with her third child when the August 2014 GR came into effect.