Anganwadi Workers/Helpers Gherao Social Welfare office over recruitment and service demands

A large number of Anganwadi workers and helpers today ‘Gherao’ the Social Welfare Department office, protesting the proposed recruitment of new Anganwadi workers and pressing for the fulfillment of their long-pending demands.
The protesters strongly opposed the move to initiate the Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) process for fresh recruitment before addressing the concerns of the existing workforce. They asserted that no new appointments should be made until the demands of serving Anganwadi workers and helpers are resolved.
One of the key demands raised during the protest was the extension of the retirement age from the current 60 years to 65 years, in line with provisions reportedly adopted in several other states. The demonstrators argued that extending the retirement age would provide greater job security and recognize the years of service rendered by Anganwadi personnel.
The protesters also demanded that all remuneration and incentives due to Anganwadi workers and helpers be credited directly to their respective bank accounts. These include payments under various schemes and components such as incentives, Community-Based Events (CBE), the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), house rent allowances, and Poshan Tracker-related honorariums.
In addition, the Anganwadi workers and helpers called for the provision of quality supplementary nutrition for children under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) programme. They stressed that the food supplied should be nutritious as well as acceptable and appealing to children to ensure better uptake and nutritional outcomes.
The protesters further demanded the release of pending honorariums for workers and helpers who have been serving for more than three years, claiming that assurances had earlier been given regarding the settlement of these dues. They also sought the introduction of retirement benefits for Anganwadi workers and helpers, stating that despite their long years of service at the grassroots level, they continue to be deprived of adequate social security measures.
The agitating workers and helpers warned that they would continue their democratic agitation if the government fails to address their grievances and take concrete steps to resolve their long-standing issues.