Anganwadi workers associated with the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) staged a protest outside the office of the tahsildar here on Monday condemning the government’s move to hand over anganwadis to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in the name of implementing the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme in mission mode.
They demanded that anganwadis be separated from the ICDS and developed as childcare centres and a directorate be set up for the programme. “Instead of increasing the quantity of nutritious food to be provided to pregnant women, newborn and lactating mothers, the government is planning to hand over anganwadis to NGOs. The move is likely to render anganwadi workers jobless,” H. Padma, a CITU leader, said.
Pointing at the skyrocketing prices of essential commodities in contrast with almost stagnant wages, the workers demanded that the government hike their pay proportionate to inflation. “What we are getting is nothing in the face of the rising prices. We are finding it difficult to manage hour households. The government should raise our pay and allowances. It should also ensure that labour laws such as Minimum Wages Act are properly implemented. It should announce benefits such as one-time-payment of Rs. 50,000 for those who retire from the service,” a worker said. The protesters burnt effigies of the Union and State governments. They warned that they would have to close anganwadis on September 2 and go on an indefinite strike if the government did not withdraw its decision.
Workers want anganwadis to be developed as childcare centres and a directorate for ICDS
