Anganwadi helpers, workers stage protest in Anantnag
Anantnag: Scores of Anganwadi workers and helpers on Saturday staged a protest at Sport Stadium Anantnag and demanded that the government must fulfill the promises made to them.
The protesting workers and helpers said that in 2018 the government announced to enhance the honorarium of Aanganwadi workers and helpers, however, even after the passing of over two years, the announcement is yet to be fulfilled.
“From October 2018, no arrears have been released as of now and for February and March 2019, both centre and state funds are yet to be released,” Fehmeeda Akhter, who is heading Aganwadi helpers and workers association in South Kashmir said.
She said that District Magistrate Anantnag has put unnecessary workload on them and they are unable to continue to work under such demanding situations.
“One day we are being asked to do work of social welfare department, other day ICDS and third day we are told to get involved with Umeed scheme,” she said, while demanding that District Magistrate must revoke order of engaging Anganwadi workers and helpers in Umeed scheme, otherwise they will be forced to come on roads.
She added that they are even ready for online attendance but government must provide them a regular salary per month.
She added that from December 2019 to February 2020 no state share was given to the workers and since June this year they have completely been denied of any remuneration.
“Anganwadi workers and helpers are being treated with utter contempt by the government,” said another worker, adding that despite all government schemes are being implemented through Anganwadi workers and helpers but they are even being denied the meager wages.
Besides that we are being denied social security, benefits including promotion, gratuity, pension, provident fund and medical facilities, she said.
“We have been protesting in Srinagar, at district headquarters and even knocking doors of concerned authorities but no attention is being provided towards our genuine demands,” the Anganwadi workers and helpers said.
