Pics: Umesh Marpalli

Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (HB)

Udupi, Jul 11: Members of Anganwadi Workers' Association, district unit, staged a protest in font of DC office, Rajathadri Manipal here on Tuesday, July 10, supporting the nation-wide protest for fulfilling various demands of Anganwadi workers.

The protest was held against cut-off of ICDS grant, and direct cash package distribution. The demands of the protestors included opening of LKG and UKG classes at government schools, fixing minimum wages of Rs 18,000, and providing ESI and PF facilities as government employees.

Susheela Nada, state secretary, Anganwadi Workers’ Association, addressing the protestors said, “The central government has ignored providing ICDS grants after PM Modi came to power. We have not been paid honorary payment since 3 to 4 months. The central government fund has been reduced from 90% to 25%. Over 26 lac of workers are 

facing financial crisis because of the negligence of the government.” She demanded the government to provide ICDS grants at the earliest.

Balakrishna Shetty, vice-president, CITU said, “Anganwadi workers must be paid minimum wages for their service. Conditions like opening of joint account and negative contents must be eliminated. The government has turned a blind eye towards their problems. The concerned department is silent over petition submitted by CITU.”

H Narasimha, president of CITU, Kundapur taluk, also lent support to the agitation of the Anganwadi workers.

A copy of the memorandum was handed over to deputy commissioner Priyanka Mary Francis during the protest.