Anganwadi workers demand fixed pay facilities

Udupi: Udupi district unit of the Karnataka State Anganwadi Workers Association protested outside the DC office here requesting to fulfill various demands.

Addressing the protesters, Sushila Nada, secretary of the association, said that the Union government’s decision to provide cash transfer to beneficiaries instead of take-home ration with regard to providing nutritious food to children up to three years and that of providing packaged food instead of food items made of fresh vegetables to children from three to six years old would completely destroy the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS).

Many beneficiaries suffered from getting the benefit of this scheme. Aadhar has been made mandatory. Some beneficiaries missed receiving the products. 

The government’s decision to start kindergarten section comprising LKG and UKG in government schools would reduce the number of children coming to anganwadis. This would finally lead to the closure of anganwadis. Instead, the government should start LKG and UKG in anganwadis itself, she said.

Minimum wages for anganwadi workers should be paid on the basis of their seniority. The minimum monthly wages should be fixed at 18,000. This was because anganwadi workers now had the additional responsibility of implementing the Mathru Purna and Mathru Vandana schemes.