Anganwadi workers descend on Freedom Park with long list of demands

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Scores of Anganwadi Workers Association members from across Kar nataka staged a protest at the Freedom Park in the city, alleging that the state government has failed to heed their demands.

According to sources, thousands of Anganwadi workers and helpers from various districts in the state arrived in Bengaluru and settled down at the Freedom Park with their bags and baggage, refusing to go back until the authorities cede to their demands.

The major demands of the workers are to classify Anganwadi workers and helpers as C and D group workers, besides provision of designated facilities to them. They also demanded that with the implementation of National Education Policy (NEP) in the state, the workers should be provided the status of teachers with a fixed monthly pay of Rs 31,000 along with ESI and health insurance benefits.

As per a Supreme Court order, retired Anganwadi workers and helpers should be provided gratuity and pension, the workers said. The Anganwadi workers also demanding that they be relieved from doing additional work for other departments.