Anganwadi workers protest Central government's move to privatize Integrated Child Development Scheme

A Correspondent

TANGLA: The Anganwadi helpers of Udalguri district staged road blockade programme against government's move for privatization of Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) and enhancement of their remuneration at Tangla town in Udalguri district on Friday. More than a thousand of anganwadi helpers took out a protest rally and staged sit-in demonstration raising slogans against the Union and State government at Tangla Charali blocking Mangaldai-Bhutiachang road and Tangla-Deor Path from 11.30 am to 1.30 pm.

The protest held under the banner of Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) drew flak against the union government's move to privatise the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) under the pretext of private-public partnership (PPP) model and for fulfilling various demands including gratuity, formulation of pension scheme, immediate enhancement of their remuneration, payment of minimum wages and increase in budget of ICDS.

They also demanded regularization of their services as Class III and Class IV employees with increase in their honorarium to Rs. 5000 and Rs 4000 per month respectively. The wages have not been revised during the 10 years and the workers are facing trouble to manage their families with such meager income. "We have been meted out step-motherly treatment by both the center and state government," said Hanufa Begum an Anganwadi helper. The Anganwadi workers later handed over a memorandum to Harisinga Revenue Circle Officer, Rittutam Bora addressed to Chief Minister of Assam. It is pertinent here to mention that the Centre is considering cash transfers under the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) instead of taking home rations for children under three and pregnant and lactating mothers in Anganwadis.

The DBT (direct benefits transfer) system is under consideration in the Ministry (Women & Child Development) reportedly based on a recent report prepared by the NITI Aayog on "Reforming Take Home Rations (THR) under the ICDS Scheme".

Also read: Anganwadi workers' protest in Jorhat