 Early Times Report
Jammu/Rajouri, Apr 16: Anganwari workers / helpers have been demanding regularization, release of their honorarium pending for last eight months, issuance of final seniority list, implementation of new pension scheme etc.
Several hundred Anganwadi workers, who have been on strike for two months now, today staged a rally here to press for their demands including release of pending salaries and hike in honorarium.
Led by their president Suman Suri, the workers walked from MAM stadium to the Press Club under the banner of 'Anganwadi Workers And Helpers Association', officials said.
The protesters shouted slogans against the state government for failing to address their issues.
"Police was initially reluctant but later allowed the rally. We want this government to have mercy on our plight and for them to consider our genuine demands," Suri said.
She said the participants were carrying bangles as a mark of protest against the government for its alleged failure to take note of the ongoing protest which entered its 63rd day today.
Besides the demand for hike in honorarium and release of pending salaries, the association is seeking seniority list, implementation of the pension scheme and gratuity of Rs two lakh for workers and Rs one lakh for helpers on retirement.
"We are getting a meagre Rs 3,600 and Rs 1,800 for workers and helpers respectively, while our counterparts in other states, including Delhi are getting Rs 10,000 and Rs 6,000 for the same work," Suri said.
Meanwhile today more than 150 Aganwadi workers/ helpers took out a protest rally at Kalakot from Sports stadium under the leadership of their union president Priya Verma and after passing through the bazaars sat outside the gate of PWD Dak bunglow where Abdul Ghani Kohli Local MLA (BJP) and Minister for Animals, Sheep Husbandry & Fisheries .
Priya Verma and Shakuntla Thakur also met with the Minister and presented the memorandum of their demands.
Later the Aganwari workers stopped the cavalcade of the Minister and requested him to intervene in their matter. |
