Anganwadi Workers stage demonstration, threaten to paralyze supply of foods

Jamshedpur : The anganwadi workers today staged the agitation under the banner of Anganwadi Karmachari Sangh at the district collectorate.

They threatened that they would paralyze supply of foods to women and children if their demands were not met.

They protested that they have not been reimbursed amount incurred on purchasing and preparing of nutritious foods like Dahlia, sattu and khichdi in March 2011, March 2012, September 2013 and between April, May, June, July this year.

They wrote to the CDPOs (child development project officers) and district social welfare officer but nothing has been done so far.

Anuradha Sharma East Singhbhum district president of the Anganwadi Karmachari Sangh led the agitation.

They sought a uniform employment policy for anganwadi workers across the country, with specified terms and defined working conditions.

Their other major demands include increasing fund allocation to child nutrition plan in the 12th Plan from Rs. 1.23 lakh crore to Rs. 3 lakh crore and strengthening the Integrated Child Development Scheme at the national-level.

They said although the anganwadi volunteers play a critical role in providing health care to the impoverished masses, they are being paid a “paltry” sum of Rs 3,000 by the Centre which is “unjustified”.