Port Blair, Aug 8: The Andaman & Nicobar Anganwadi Workers & Helpers Union has postponed the Mass Demonstration scheduled to be held today (8.8.2023) following the discussion held with the Director of Social Welfare, A&N Islands. The Director has briefed the Union delegation about the steps being taken by the department to settle the demands raised by the A&N Anganwadi Workers & Helpers Union.

Earlier, a large number of Anganwadi Workers and Helpers of Port Blair town and rural South Andaman areas assembled in front of the Directorate of Social Welfare at Goalghar, Port Blair for the Mass Demonstration. Ms Geeta Devi, President and R. Anbukkarsi, General Secretary of the Union and B. Chandrachoodan, General Secretary, CITU State Committee held discussion with the Director of Social Welfare. 

Emerging from the meeting with the Director of Social Welfare, Geeta Devi, President of the Union explained the outcome of the discussion held with the Director of Social Welfare.   B. Chandrachoodan, General Secretary, CITU State Committee while addressing the Anganwadi staff informed that the discussion held with the Director of Social Welfare was fruitful. He greeted the Anganwadi Workers and Helpers on behalf of the CITU State Committee and said that the Union will continue to raise the demands of the Anganwadi staff working in these islands.  

The demands raised by the  Union were (1) Minimum Wages for Anganwadi Workers & Helpers (2) Gratuity for Anganwadi Workers & Helpers as per Supreme Court order (3) Declare Anganwadi Workers and Helpers  as Special Category Govt. Employees as done in many other States/Puducherry, (4) Release of pending  honorarium to Anganwadi staff (5) clearance of pending  room rent of Anganwadi Centres (6) Timely payment of Honorarium to Anganwadi staff, (7) Bipartite  mechanism to redress  grievances of Anganwadi Workers & Helpers, etc.