Bhubaneswar: The agitating Anganwadi workers, sitting on an indefinite dharna at Lower PMG since September 14 pressing for fulfilment of their various demands, decided to continue their stir after a meeting with the State Government on Tuesday remained inconclusive.
Hundreds of Angawadi workers under the banner of All Odisha Anganwadi Ladies workers Association are staging protest at the Lower PMG with their 12-point charter of demands, including hike in their minimum pay to Rs 18,000 for workers and Rs 9,000 for helpers per month.
They also want a minimum pension of Rs 3,000 per month, status of government employees, revised insurance policy and its immediate implementation among other demands.
The government in a meeting with representatives of the association had sought 45 days time and asked for withdraw of the stir but the proposal was rejected by the association.
“Giving them status of government employees is presently not possible. But we are satisfied with their works; even if they are workers or helpers we have always said there is no problem in their work. Their salary will be definitely hiked but the amount of hike has not been decided, we have asked them to give us a month’s time,” said Women and Child Development (WCD) Minister Prafulla Samal.
Meanwhile, the association has said that it will decide on its future course of action after presidents and secretaries of all district level Anganwadi associations come to Bhubaneswar and meet the agitators.
“We will call our sisters, district presidents and secretaries, of 30 districts and will take a decision after a discussion with them. The meeting with the government was not fruitful. The government is taking time on our demands so we will have a discussion with our sisters on the future course of action. The agitation will continue,” said General Secretary of All Odisha Anganwadi Ladies workers Association Sumita Mohapatra.