CITU-affiliated the Odisha Midday Meal Workers’ Union staged a demonstration on Thursday in front of the district Collector’s office pressing their demands. The agitation while was headed by union president Radharaman Sarangi, hundreds of workers across all blocks attended.
They later submitted a memorandum to the district administration. Their demands include withdrawal of proposed centralized kitchen to supply meals to the schools, Rs 2,000 per month remuneration from this month, at least two sarees per annum, ESI, PF and other social security measures, etc.
They alleged that the Government while had been fulfilling the demands of ASHAs and Anganwadi workers, their genuine demands were overlooked. They told although the Mass Education Minister had assured the union to fulfil some of their demands and implement them from January this year, but later he did nothing.
Mrutyunjay Rout, Purnima Behera and Kanakalata Das were among others who led the demonstration.