Daijiworld Media Network-Udupi (HB)

Udupi, Mar 17: “The government is putting additional work on workers and helpers by paying lesser wages. They have ignored the interests of Anganwadi workers. They should fix minimum wages of Rs 18,000 per month. The government is paying the same honorarium to workers who are working since 1975,” said district Anganwadi workers and helpers association president Usha K while addressing press persons on Friday, March 16 at press club.

“Recently the government lunched ‘Mathru poorna Yojane’ for pregnant and lactating women in rural areas. The scheme was launched to provide one nutritious meal daily for 25 days in a month. We have started to provide a full meal consisting of rice, dal with vegetables/sambar, one boiled egg and 200 ml of milk to pregnant women. Those who do not eat eggs are given two varieties of sprouts. Sometimes the food items are wasted because of absence of pregnant women.

“On one side, Anganwadi workers have to provide meals for children along with other snacks. The workers are made to work restlessly the whole day long. Government is using Anganwadi workers to do extra work without any reward. They are made to slog whole day long with additional works and not eligible for obtaining government benefits.

“The extra work has become burden for them. The scheme of central government ‘Mathru Vandana’ is being followed for all pregnant women and lactating mothers in the district. The workers are rendering service without any payment since 2011.

“The government’s schemes are pushing Anganwadi workers to handle other works. For now the workers are getting Rs 8000 (6800 from state and 1200 from central government) and helpers are getting Rs 4,000 but not getting benefits of government medical schemes like ESI and PF.

“There are 412 Anganwadis in Kundapur, 230 in Udupi and 541 Anganwadis in Karkala. There are more than 15 kids in Anganwadis. The central government has also cut off their grant in aid in the budget. When compared to other states, the amount of salary for workers here is much lesser.

“The government should give these workers their half the salary after retirement as pension. Government’s schemes are very difficult to execute it in Udupi because most of the pregnant women are taking care of their own health. The state government should pay extra attention to solving the problems of anganwadi workers and helpers towards hiking salaries and providing basic facilities,” she demanded.

Yamuna Kundar, vice-president, Udupi district Anganwadi workers and helpers association, Filomina, organizing secretary, Udupi district Anganwadi workers and helpers association, Baby Karje and others were present.