HimVani
Shimla, Dec 05: Anganwari workers today gathered from all over state here and cordoned Himachal Pradesh Secretariat for more than three hours to press for their demands. State CITU general secretary Kashmir Singh Thakur claimed that it was historical protest here, as more than 10,000 Anganwari workers and helpers from all over state had gathered here today.
Later, a demand charter was handed over to Principal Secretary Welfare S.K.Das in delegation led by Kashmir Singh Thakur. Charter contained immediate release of pending arrears of Rs 1500 and Rs 700 to each worker and helper. It also put forward a demand of releasing equal amount by state government from its own exchequer on the pattern of state of Punjab, Uttrakhand and Haryana during the current financial years. Protesters sought to constitute ‘welfare fund for aganwari workers’ to provide them benefits of pensions after retirement as directed by the center. They demanded Rs 1000 non-refundable Diwali allowance, as being remitted by WB and Kerela on the eve of Durga Puja and Onam each year. Anganwari workers demanded to pay their wages in cash, as they have to travel extensively, even more than 45 km from their working place to release honorarium. Anganwari workers also demanded to provide 90 percent quota in their upgradation to ICDS supervisors, which was reduced to 50 percent by the state government.
Principal Secretary Welfare S.K.Das assured to consider all demands in the charter on priority. He assured to release the amount on the demand of workers. He said that Rs 600 will be released to the workers within 10 to 15 days.
