After primary teachers, Anganwadi workers hit streets in Odisha over 9-point demands

Hundreds of Anganwadi workers once again flooded the streets in Bhubaneswar on Friday to press for their 9-point charter of demands. Amid the ongoing Odisha Assembly session, thousands of Anganwadi workers under the banner of All Odisha Anganwadi Ladies Workers Association, assembled at Lower PMG and staged a protest.

Government status to all Anganwadi workers, Rs 9,000 monthly salary for helpers, and Rs 5 lakh pension during retirement are some of the demands of the agitators. They have warned to continue their protest until all their demands are met.

“We had staged a protest for 48 during on November last year. However, we called it off after a letter from the Chief Secretary. In the letter, he had promised to call a meeting on February 15. This exposes the Odisha government's fake ‘Maa Ku Sanman’ slogan,” claimed an agitator.

She further added, “Our demand is to be declared as permanent government workers, Rs 18,000 monthly salary for Anganwadi workers and Rs 9,000 salary for our helpers. Several Anganwadi workers were suspended due to political rivalry, so we demand their reinstatement. We demand retirement benefits of up to 5 lakh and Rs 5000 monthly pension after retirement.”

“Governments of all other states have hiked the salary of Anganwadi workers, but the Odisha government has been playing with us,” she added.

The angry agitators also threatened to boycott voting during the upcoming election.