Anganwadi demand hike in ICDS budget

Rajamahendravaram: Anganwadi workers and helpers union on Tuesday staged a massive dharna in front of Sub-Collector’s office demanding hike in ICDS budget, abolishing memo 3211 and solution for other problems. The anganwadi workers raised slogans demanding recognition of anganwadis as class-4 employees, payment of pending salaries and to stop reducing centres.

Speaking on the occasion, anganwadi leaders Annapurna and Vinolio lamented that anganwadis are struggling to get salaries, T.As and rents because of reducing the ICGD budget.

They criticised that the government has introduced memo 3211 to transform anganwadi centres as convents. They alleged that the government is not paying transport charges from 2015 and failed to pay rents and T.A bills from last November.

They also alleged that the retirement benefits were given to anganwadi who retired in the last March and salaries have not been paid to nutrition councilors and link workers in Srikakulam, Guntur and Anaanthapur districts from last April. They maintained that the arrears which were increased by the Centre to mini workers were not paid from last two years and group insurance was not being implemented for workers and helpers who died.

CITU district secretary and vice-president, SS Murthy and BB Naidu said that widow pensions have been stopped and expressed anguish that pre-school is being affected due to smart pulse survey and online duties.

They criticised that promotions are not being given to helpers and quality feed is not being supplied at anganwadi centres. They added that budget cut was made in the ICDS after Modi coming into power.

Stating that Rs 28,454 crore been proposed in the 2016-17 budget under 12th Five-year plan, they informed that only Rs 15,872 crore on the name umbrella ICDS linking it with several other schemes.