Hundreds of anganwadi workers from Puri joined the ongoing agitation of the All Orissa Aganwadi Ladies Workers’ Association here on the fourth day on Thursday.
Notably, the association continued holding the agitation pressing for fulfilment of their various demands, including status of Government employees.
The Anganwadi workers alleged that the State Government is yet to respond to their demands favourably. The demands include minimum monthly salary of Rs 18,000 for Workers and Rs 9,000 for Helpers, minimum monthly pension of Rs 3,000, implementation of a revised insurance policy and provision of other Government benefits.
Association general secretary Sumita Mahapatra threatened that all the Aganwadi Centres would remain closed under the demands are met.
While the Government is claiming that it has been providing work to villagers and ensuring respect to women, the negligence meted out to Aganwadi Workers gives the real picture of claims.
Mahapatra alleged that the Government is not giving importance to the Anganwadi Workers, who have been working tirelessly in providing basic healthcares like contraceptive counselling and supply of nutritious foods and imparting education and doing pre-school activities in the villages.
Among others, Soudamini Das, Basant Kumar Sahu, Namita Praharaj, Bijaylaxmi Swain, Mamata Baral and Jyostnarani Sahu were present.
