Midday meals likely to be disrupted as Anganwadi and MDM workers extend support to strike

The Midday Meal (MDM) programme at schools and Anganwadis across the State is likely to be disrupted on February 12 as the MDM workers and Karnataka State Anganwadi Employees’ Unions have extended support for the general strike called by trade unions against the four labour codes implemented by the Union government.

S. Varalakshimi, general secretary of Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), said that around 1.19 lakh MDM workers and 1.60 lakh Anganwadi workers are working across the State, and they will participate in the strike.

Following this, the Department of School Education and Literacy has instructed the schools to take necessary alternate measures to avoid disruption. The Director of PM Poshan Shakti Nirman Project has issued a note to all Deputy Directors at the district level asking them to convince MDM staff not to participate in the protest. If it fails, the schools are asked to make alternate arrangements. Praksh G.T. Nittali, Director of MDM PM Poshan, said not all workers are expected to take part in the strike.

Meanwhile, Women and Child Development Department said that it is not aware of Anganwadi workers taking part in strike. Even if they do, action will be taken to deliver meals to the homes of children, said Mahesh Babu N., Director, Directorate of Women and Child Development Department.