The government and the Congress on Thursday sparred over the protests by anganwadi workers in Karnataka, with Union Minister Ananth Kumar saying the Congress–governed State was not doing enough for them.
Congress leader M. Mallikarjun Kharge, who raised the issue during zero hour in the Lok Sabha, urged the Centre to increase the honorarium for anganwadi workers.
Warning that there would be larger agitation if the issues were not addressed, Mr. Kharge said the Centre had reduced the allocation towards anganwadi workers and this had increased the burden on the State governments.
In response, Mr. Kumar, Parliamentary Affairs Minister, said the State government was not giving what should be given to the anganwadi workers.
Alleging that Mr. Kharge had twisted the facts, Mr. Kumar asked him not to shed crocodile tears on the issue. His remarks elicited protests from Congress members.
