Early Times Report
Srinagar, July 7: Jammu and Kashmir Anganwadi Workers and Helpers Union (AWHU), today held a protest demonstration at Sher-i-Kashmir Park in Srinagar.
The protesting workers and helpers were demanding gratuity, the formulation of a pension scheme, immediate enhancement of their remuneration and withdrawal of the plan to privatize ICDS.
The protestors carrying banners and placards shouted slogans and demanded regularization of their services as Class III and Class IV employees and the fixation of their salary accordingly. Pending this decision, the government should increase their honorarium to Rs. 5000 and Rs 4000 respectively, the protesters urged. They also demanded, linking of their remuneration with consumer price index and 10% annual increment. Release of training grants in favour of the workers and helpers without any delay and providing of T.A, D.A for attending different meetings in connection with Pulse Polio, Aids Awareness and other related programmes was also highlighted. The protestors also demanded considerable enhancement in the rent and fuel charges for the Anganwari Centres.
Speaking on the occasion, Ab Gani Bhat, Vice-President CITU expressed his concern over the plight of the working classes, who, he emphasized, have been adversely hit by the sky rocketing prices of essential commodities and the neo-liberal economic policies pursued by the government.
Speaking on the occasion Mymoona Rashid, acting State President and Jameela Sabiri General Secretary AWHU, also addressed the gathering. They said that the grass root workers of the ICDS should be entitled to decent living. They demanded framing of a standing mechanism in the Ministry of Women and Child Development for the revision in the rates of honorarium of Anganwadi workers and helpers. They urged upon the government to make Anganwadis as noodle centers for imparting pre-school education to the children between the age group of 3-6.Quality freshly prepared food, educational toys and play way equipment should be provided to the centres so that they become attractive and acceptable for the parents.
Hassena Sofi, Supinder Kour and Fahmeeda Banoo also spoke on the occasion. They demanded that minimum wages of skilled workers should be paid to Anganwadi workers and that of semi skilled workers to helpers. Remuneration of Anganwadi employees should be linked up with consumer price index and 10% annual increment should be given to both Anganwadi workers and helpers, they added. |
