Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 25: ASHA, Anganwadi and Mid Day Meal workers under the banner of State Committee of Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) took out a rally in support of their demands.
Carrying placards and banners, these workers from different districts of Jammu and Kashmir regions assembled at Bikram Chowk and after passing through various areas reached Railway Station, from where they left for New Delhi to participate in the “Mahapadav” to be held tomorrow.
Addressing the rally, Sham Prasad Kesar, senior leader, CITU, said that the Government instead of providing basic needs to the people is trying to deceive the people on the directions of the multilateral funding agencies like the World Bank, etc.
He said that lakhs of workers most of them women are rendering their services under various schemes, but are not even recognized as workers.
All these workers working under different schemes should be regularised as permanent employees and should be paid minimum wages of Rs 10,000 per month with all other benefits, Kesar demanded.
Om Parkash, general secretary, State committee, CITU, said that 26 lakh workers are employed in Mid Day Meal Programme and are getting honorarium of Rs 1000, which is great injustice to them.
He added that ASHA workers are discharging multiple duties having a long list of responsibilities, but these workers are getting incentive only depending upon the number of institutional deliveries.
Ramesh Chand said that Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme was started to address the serious problems of malnutrition among children and pregnant and lactating mothers and the high infant rate in a holistic manner.
A social studies conducted recently lauded the Anganwadi employees, the grass root functionaries of ICDS for their commitment and dedication, he said, adding, that Anganwadi workers are called social workers and are getting paltry honorarium.
Among others spoke were Sunita Bhagat, general secretary, ASHA Workers Union and other members of State committee of CITU.
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