Aanganwadi workers/helpers celebrate Oct 2 as “Demands Day”

Ferozepur, October 2, 2012 : On call from Aanganwadi Employees Federation of India, Aanganwadi workers/helpers today celebrated October 2 as “Demands Day”.

The Aanganwadi workers and helpers celebrated October 2 as “Demand Day” as on this day in 1975, ICDS Scheme was started and has completed 37 years. 

In the memorandum submitted to government, it has been demanded that ICDS scheme should be converted in to government department and the workers/helpers working on meager wages be given Class III and IV category status. 

They also demand that a provision for pension and gratuity at the time of superannuation should also be made till such these demands are accepted, the wages should be fixed as Rs.1,000 and Rs.5,000, respectively.

Speaking to the media, president of the Union said, the demands include the construction of government buildings for Aanganwadi , conversion of  mini-centres into full-fledged Aanganwadi centres,  uniform allowance of Rs.1,000 half-yearly, fixed medical allowance of Rs.200 per month, the projects given to NGOs should be brought back under ICDS scheme, additional charge allowance of Rs.500 per month instead of existing Rs.50 per month, and increase in ration budget allotment to the beneficiaries as per the price-index to give them diet according to the norms.

The Aanganwadi workers/helpers warned to the government that in case their genuine demands are not finalised at the earliest, a strong protest will be registered before the Parliament during the coming winter session at Delhi besides intensifying the agitation against the state governments. 

Sheela Rani, Kulwinder Kaur, Surinder Kaur, Renu Bala, Balwinder Kaur, Santosh Rani, Kaushiliya Rani, Pooja Rani besides in good number of Aanganwadi workes/helpers were present on this “Demand Day”.