Anganwadi workers say CM apathetic to their plight

District ministers too are mum on the issue, protesters rue

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has provided ‘Kannira Bhagya’ (tears) to anganwadi workers, DYFI District vice president B K Imtiyaz said.

Though State-wide indefinite stir of Karnataka State Anganwadi Workers Association, affiliated to CITU, has stepped into fourth day, the government has not showed any concern towards the protesters, he alleged.  

Addressing the protesters in front of Deputy Commissioner’s office here on Thursday, he said though the Assembly session was on, the government had not discussed the problems of anganwadi workers.

Even, ministers from the district, including District in-charge Minister B Ramanath Rai are mum about the issue. It is time for women to question the morality of Women and Children’s Welfare Minister Umashri. 

Politicians always overburden anganwadi workers and they have also extended their working hours till 4.30 pm. The government gives meagre Rs 4,300 as honorarium for them and assistants get just Rs 2,700.

The ministers would definitely spend thousands of rupees for their lunch. It’s their duty to think about anganwadi workers and introspect about their life, he asked. 

Karnataka State Anganwadi Workers Association District Committee President Ravikala said that privatisation of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) should be stopped as it would lead to mass removal of several anganwadi workers.

The anganwadi workers and assistants should be considered as third and fourth grade workers respectively and given a salary of Rs 15,000 and Rs 10,000. Minimum wage should be fixed for those who served from past 39 years and their service should be regularised, she said. 

Permanent nurseries

“All anganwadis should be upgraded and should be made permanent nurseries. The pre school learning should be brought under Right to Education Act 2009.
 More than 70 per cent anganwadi workers have actively participated in the protest. Now, protests are being organised in the block-level. If the State government is not ready to fulfil the demands, we will hold a huge protest in front of Vidhana Soudha,” she added.

CITU workers took out a protest Jatha from Nehru Maidan to DC office and shouted slogans. Street vendors, head load workers, building workers, auto rickshaw drivers and others took part in the protest. They formed a human chain in support of the protestors. 

CITU District President Sunil Kumar Bajal, Bharati Bolar of Beedi Workers’ Association, Yogish Jappinamogaru of Building Workers’ Association, Karnataka State Anganwadi Workers Association Belthangady President Gayatri Devi, Bantwal President Savitri, Vittal President Laxmi, Mangaluru Rural President Vijaya were present among others.