Jhunjhunu: Anganwadi workers and helpers staged a protest outside the Jhunjhunu Collectorate, Friday, demanding regularisation of services, higher honorarium and improved social security benefits. Under the banner of the Akhil Rajasthan Anganbadi Karyakarta-Sahayika Sanyukt Vikas Sangharsh Samiti, the protesters later submitted a memorandum addressed to Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma through the district collector.The memorandum stated Anganwadi workers play a key role in implementing schemes related to maternal and child health, nutrition, immunisation, pre-primary education, malnutrition eradication, the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana and the Poshan Tracker, but continue to work without adequate honorarium, job security or social security benefits.The protesters demanded that Anganwadi workers be declared permanent government employees. Until then, they sought a monthly honorarium of Rs 35,000 for workers andRs25,000 for helpers. They also sought an increase in incentives under schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, Poshan Tracker, hot cooked meals and milk distribution, along with timely payments.Among other demands, the workers urged the govt to exempt them from non-ICDS duties, including surveys and app-based assignments, saying these divert attention from their core responsibilities. They also sought smartphones or tablets, a retirement package of Rs 10 lakh with monthly pensions, promotions after 10 years of service, and timely payment of electricity, water and building rent for Anganwadi centres.The Sangharsh Samiti warned of intensifying its statewide agitation, including boycotting non-ICDS work and organising symbolic lockouts at Anganwadi centres if their demands remain unresolved.
