Anganwadi workers to begin indefinite protest in Bengaluru from March 23

The Karnataka State Anganwadi Workers’ Association, under the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), will launch an indefinite protest in Bengaluru from March 23, demanding fulfilment of long-pending demands related to wages, service conditions, and strengthening of anganwadis across the State.

The association district president Gauramma Patil told presspersons here on Friday that Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) which completed 50 years, continued to play a key role in providing nutrition, healthcare, and pre-school education to children below six years. However, she alleged that anganwadi workers remain underpaid.

Ms. Patil demanded universal coverage of children under six years of age under the ICDS, the inclusion of anganwadi workers under minimum wages with social security benefits such as ESI and PF, and an improvement in the quality of food supplied through locally sourced nutrition.

The activist also sought filling of vacancies in the posts of anganwadi workers, helpers, supervisors, and Child Development Project Officers (CDPOs), and exemption of staff from non-core duties such as election-related work. She also urged the timely release of funds for operational expenses, including food, rent, and utilities, and clearance of pending gratuity dues.

Other demands include revision of honorarium, implementation of group health insurance, provision of basic infrastructure such as mobile devices and internet connectivity, and withdrawal of certain digital systems. The association has also sought extension of menstrual leave and health benefits, enhancement of pension up to ₹10,000 per month for retired workers, and creation of a separate ICDS directorate.

The anganwadi workers have opposed the proposed direct benefit transfer (DBT) mechanism for food distribution and urged the government to fulfil its promise made during elections to revise the honorarium of anganwadi workers.