Mangaluru: Dakshina Kannada District Anganwadi Workers and Helpers Association will hold a protest march and sit-in on Monday, demanding timely honorarium payments, better working conditions, and improved welfare measures for frontline staff.
Association president Tara Ballal and general secretary Ashalatha MV said on Saturday that Anganwadi workers receive a monthly honorarium of Rs 12,000 and helpers Rs 6,000. Other demands include ESI or comprehensive health insurance coverage for workers and helpers, timely release of contingency funds (sadilwaru) for routine maintenance of Anganwadi centres and payment of gratuity to all personnel who retired since 2011. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Bengaluru | Silver Rate in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru | Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Petrol Price in Bengaluru | Diesel Price in Bengaluru | CNG Price in Bengaluru | LPG Price in Bengaluru Stay updated with the latest Bengaluru news.
However, officials often disburse the amount only once every two or three months, citing budget constraints. It demanded that the honorarium be credited by the fifth of every month. Workers also raised concerns over delays in funds meant for supplying eggs to beneficiaries. They alleged that the delays often force Anganwadi staff to meet the expenses from their personal savings. The association criticised the quality of uniforms supplied to workers this year and sought better-quality uniforms in accordance with the budget allocated by the govt. The association also sought high-quality 5G smartphones that can support the mandatory Poshan Tracker application without technical difficulties. The protest march will begin from Ambedkar Circle and proceed to the Mini Vidhana Soudha. Association representatives urged the authorities to intervene and resolve their long-pending grievances. Download the TOI App.