Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 12: Anganwadi workers and helpers of ICDS Projects of Social Welfare Department (SWD) today held protest demonstration and dharna at Exhibition Ground near Press Club here today.
A large number of ICDS workers from various projects of Jammu region, under the banner of J&K National Trade Union Front assembled near Press Club, Jammu and started protest demonstration. They were shouting slogans against the higher authorities in the department demanding release of their wages.
They pointed out that the department has failed to frame rules and a large number of Anganwadi workers who are graduates and even working for the last more than twenty years have been deprived of the promotion avenues. There is massive stagnation and a strong resentment is brewing among the workers. They are not being paid regularly and their families are facing starvation. Anganwadi workers are not getting promotions as Supervisors even after rendering long services.
Mohd Gafoor Dar, president of the Front while addressing agitating workers criticized the higher authorities in the department for ignoring the long pending issues of the Anganwadi workers and helpers. He said the workers are unpaid for the last six to 11 months and the department is also silent on their promotion issue. Pick and choose policy is adopted and no seniority list is prepared properly.
He demanded withdrawal of termination order of Anganwadi workers and helpers and stop their harassment, framing of new recruitment rules of ICDS Mission providing 100 % promotion quota for supervisors, workers and helpers; enhancement of honorarium of Anganwadi workers to Rs 10, 000 per month and Rs 6000 per month for helpers; provision of training allowance, MPR sheets, stationary and travelling allowance etc.
Prominent among others who addressed the gathering included Tarna Devi, Mumtaz Begum, Tripta Devi, Swarna, Lalita Devi, Raj Kumari and Vandana.
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