Sri Vijaya Puram, Feb 4: At the call given by the All India Federation of Anganwadi Workers & Helpers to protest against the neglect of Anganwadi Workers & Helpers in the Union Budget presented in the Parliament on 1st February, 2025, the Andaman & Nicobar Anganwadi Workers & Helpers (CITU) conducted a territory-wide mass demonstration/mass dharna today (4.2.2025) afternoon. The main programme was held in front of the Directorate of Social Welfare at Goalghar in which a large number of Anganwadi Workers & Helpers of urban and rural South Andaman areas participated. Inaugurating the mass demonstration, B. Chandrachoodan, General Secretary, CITU State Committee said that the Modi government has been trying to crush the trade union rights of the workers by bringing in four labour codes. He said that the central government is not accepting any of the demands of the Anganwadi Workers & Helpers. 

Addressing the massive gathering of Anganwadi Workers & Helpers, D. Ayyappan, Vice President, CITU State Committee said that the Modi government has been weakening the social security schemes by curtailing the allocation of funds in the successive union budgets.  He said that it was due to the valiant struggles conducted by the Anganwadi Workers & Helpers in the country under the CITU unions, the wages/honorarium of the Anganwadi Workers and Helpers have been increased. CITU in A&N Islands will continue to support the Anganwadi Union in its fight for their pending demands.  

Geeta Devi, President and R. Anbukkarsi, General Secretary of the A&N Anganwadi Workers & Helpers Union also addressed the gathering and led the programme.  R. Surendran Pillai, President, CITU State Committee and other leaders of CITU also attended the programme.  

At Mayabunder, the mass demonstration/mass dharna was held in front of the Deputy Commissioner’s office which was led by union leaders Rose and Vijayalakshmi. K. Muralidharan Pillai, President and C. Murugan, Secretary of CITU Mayabunder Zonal Committee also attended the programme.  

At Baratang, the mass demonstration was organised in front of the APWD Guest House at Nilambur which was led by Anganwadi Workers & Helpers Union leaders Johny Uraon and Phuljencia. Danial Aint, Vice President, CITU State Committee and Bala Raju of Baratang Forest Workers Union also attended the programme.

At Swarajdweep, the mass demonstration was orgnaised in front of the office of the Assistant Commissioner which was led by Union leaders Susheela and Sangeetha Ekka.  Suben Bachar, CITU leader addressed the participants.  Almost all the Anganwadi Workers & Helpers of Swarajdweep (Havelock) participated in the programme.