Srinagar, November 21: Alleging that the weaker and marginalized sections of society have been left to fend for themselves by the Government, CPI (M) leader and MLA Kulgam Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami urged the State government to release the wages in favour of Anganwadi workers and helpers pending for several months without any further delay.
The weaker and poorer sections of the society have been totally neglected by the government which has severely hit their means of livelihood. The meagre wages of Anganwadi workers and helpers have not been paid by the Government for the last several months, compounding their miseries. Some of the Anganwadi workers are widows, who are the sole breadwinners of their respective families. How will they manage without if government has stopped their wages?, said Tarigami in a statement issued here today.
“Although Anganwadi workers and helpers have forced the Union government to announce an increase in their remuneration, the basic issues of recognition, pension and social security has still not been addressed. The meagre hike in wages is not going to address the burning issues of Anganwadi workers and helpers, as their families are dependent on them,” he said.
He demanded that social security benefits including promotion, gratuity, pension, provident fund, medical facilities, etc., should be provided to all Anganwadi workers and helpers.
He also cautioned the Government to stop the move to introduce direct/conditional cash transfers and packaged food in ICDS.
