Ranchi, October 10 (IANS). More than 38 thousand Anganwadi centers in Jharkhand are locked for the last six days. The maids and assistants who run these centers are on strike since October 5 for their demands.
They say that the state government has broken promises to them on their legitimate demands related to honorarium increase, pension, gratuity etc. Despite years of pleading, he has received only assurance.
Anganwadi workers and assistants from across the state had demonstrated in Ranchi on 23 September. He took out a rally from Morhabadi Maidan to CM House. At that time, JMM MLA Sudivya Kumar Sonu, on behalf of the government, had assured them that the government would soon take a decision on their demands, but no concrete initiative was taken in this direction.
Although, in the cabinet meeting on October 8, the government has approved amendment in their service rules, appointment of their dependents in case of sudden death and regular increase in honorarium, but the agitating maids-helpers say that the government has not agreed to their main demands. No clear decision has been taken. Efforts are being made to mislead them. In such a situation, their movement will continue.
The agitating maids and assistants in various districts of the state have postponed their strike for four days in view of Durga Puja, but their strike continues.
State President of Jharkhand State Anganwadi Employees Union, Meera Devi said that in the light of the order of the Supreme Court, there is a demand to give gratuity, lump sum retirement benefit of Rs 10 lakh to the maid and Rs 5 lakh to the assistant after retirement, pension of 50 percent of the salary. But still the government has not taken any concrete decision.
Due to the strike, all the activities including providing nutritious food to children and vaccination of children below 6 years of age have come to a standstill due to the closure of Anganwadi centers in the state.
–IANS
SNC/ABM
