As anganwadi workers are camping in Bengaluru, the effect is being seen across the State.
Over 65,000 anganwadis and mini-anganwadis have been affected as workers and helpers have pledged to go on strike until their wages are hiked, hitting critical services such as distribution of food to malnourished children and pregnant women. In Hyderabad Karnataka region, most anganwadis have remained shut for three days. Though around 4,000 workers are participating in the strike, a few have returned to their villages or towns because of lack of toilet and bathing facilities at the protest site. With other unions joining in, many more anganwadis are expected to remain closed.
The response is mixed in Dakshina Kannada. Around 30% of anganwadis in Mangaluru have closed, while all 341 anganwadis in Bantwal taluk have closed. Officials said while the measles-rubella vaccination campaign was unaffected as the last phase was completed on Sunday; there was concern that a prolonged agitation might affect the Pulse Polio immunisation campaign scheduled for April first week.
