STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: Answering the call of the Assam State Anganwadi Workers and Assistants Union, the Kamrup District Committee of the organization staged a protest at the offices of Integrated Child Development Project Officers on Wednesday. Over 600 people took part in this protest.
The members of the organisation demanded the fulfilment of several promises of the government, including the increase in the honorarium of the workers and the payment of one-time relief to the retired workers and assistants, as well as the mini-workers by October 20, the payment of gratuity, and the recognition of the Anganwadi workers and assistants as regular employees. The protesters also engaged in sloganeering regarding their demands.
The members of the organisation, led by the general secretary, Indira Newar, staged a vocal protest at the Integrated Child Development Project Officer's office in Chandrapur. Speaking at the protest, she mentioned that the state government is not paying the due salaries to the Anganwadi workers and assistants. She also mentioned that the government is unable to pay the due salaries in this Amrit Kal and called it a very sad development. Similarly, the secretary of the Kamrup Metropolitan District Committee, Junu Chetia, was present for the protest at the Beltola office and President Monika Dutta at the Noonmati office. They added that the Anganwadi workers have been providing six essential services to children and mothers to ensure their basic growth through the numerous centres, but the government fails to recognise them as their employees.
The protesters mentioned that the director had given verbal confirmation that they would be paid up to Rs 11,000 in honorarium by the state government, but the same has not been made available yet. In that condition, the union has announced that until the demand for providing wages in place of remuneration is not resolved with discussion with the Central Government, they will continue to abstain from carrying out their duties. They will stop their work related to the ICDS and ICDS-associated activities, meaning that the centres will remain closed and they will not cooperate with all Poshan Tracker-related activities in the coming days.
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