‘State govt plans to privatise Anganwadis’

Chittoor: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has his own strategy to hand over the management of the Anganwadi centres to the private parties and non-governmental organisations in a phased manner alleged R Hari Krishna, president, State Anganwadi Workers and Helpers Association.

The Anganwadi workers and helpers staged a dharna at the Collectorate here on Thursday, demanding the Central and State governments to put an end to their indifferent and partial attitude towards Anganwadi centres and solve their long-pending problems.

Addressing the agitating Anganwadi workers and helpers, Hari Krishna regretted that the State government was supplying inferior quality of essential commodities to the Anganwadi centres causing serious health hazards to both the pregnant women and children.

“Our first demand is that government should remit a gratuity of Rs 5 lakh to Anganwadi workers and Rs 3 lakh for Anganwadi helper at the time their retirement. Their minimum salary should be at least Rs 18,000 per month,” he demanded.

He regretted that the State government has failed to construct permanent buildings for Anganwadi centres which have already received the funds from the Central government.

CPI district secretary A Rama Naidu participating in the agitation programme decried that the interference of the ruling TDP functionaries in the functioning of the Anganwadi centres in the district.

He appreciated the services of Anganwadi centres which are highly useful for promoting the State government sponsored schemes and for protecting the health of the women and children particularly in rural areas.

CPI district secretary Nagarajan demanded the government to regularise the services of Anganwadi workers and helpers with immediate effect. The leaders then submitted a memorandum to the Joint Collector for due action.