Bhubaneswar: More than 10,000 Anganwadi workers from across Odisha staged a massive demonstration on Monday at Lower PMG, near the State Assembly, pressing for fulfilment of their 11-point charter of demands, including a hike in their monthly remuneration to Rs 18,000.
The protest, organised by the All Odisha Anganwadi Ladies Workers’ Association, created heavy traffic disruption in the capital as workers and helpers gathered in large numbers, raising slogans and seeking urgent intervention from the state government.
Key Demands
The protesters demanded:
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Rs 18,000 monthly remuneration for Anganwadi workers
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Rs 9,000 for helpers
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Recognition as teachers under the National Education Policy (NEP)
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Service benefits on par with regular state government staff
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Direct promotion channels, gratuity, and seniority-based increments
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Medical benefits for dependent family members
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Compensation and job assurance for a family member if a worker dies while in service
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Retirement assistance of Rs 10 lakh for workers and Rs 5 lakh for helpers
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Monthly pension of Rs 5,000 (workers) and Rs 3,000 (helpers)
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Replacement of the word “disengage” with “retirement” in service rules
Workers Accuse Government of Failing to Deliver on Promises
The Association accused the present BJP government of failing to implement the salary hike it had promised.
They recalled that the previous BJD government, in February last year, had increased monthly remuneration for Anganwadi workers from Rs 7,500 to Rs 10,000, and for mini-workers from Rs 5,375 to Rs 7,500. However, workers allege that the revised scale has not been fully rolled out despite repeated assurances.
Warning of Intensified Agitation
Association leaders declared that if the state government does not respond immediately, they will intensify the protest in the coming days.
Heavy police deployment was made near the protest site to maintain order, though the demonstration remained peaceful.
-OdishaAge
