PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE / Dehradun
Anganwadi workers have written to the director of Women Empowerment and Child Development (WECD), stating that they will not participate in empowerment, child development and BLO work until their demands are met. This letter follows a recent order from the director of WECD prohibiting strikes of Amnagwad workers which emphasises the key roles during crucial initiatives like Poshan Pakhwada (April 9-23), among others.
It is important to note that the workers have recently begun an indefinite protest over their long-standing demands.
The president of the Anganwadi Workers Association Rekha Negi, stated that after receiving the recent order prohibiting their strike, they sent a letter to the WECD director. In the letter, the Anganwadi workers mentioned that in light of their long-standing demands, a State-level rally was organised on March 14, 2026. However, the administration intervened and treated the workers poorly.
As a result, all Anganwadi workers announced that they would not work on the Poshan tracker and would only be present at their centres. Despite this, the government has not addressed their concerns. Consequently, all Anganwadi workers declared that starting April 1, they would lock all Anganwadi centers and stop performing BLO duties until the government increased their honorarium.
Negi condemned the WECD’s director recent order, noting that despite numerous protests in the State, the department responded by sending a letter threatening action against Anganwadi workers instead of calling for a meeting to resolve the issues. In the letter, they informed the authorities of their issues and requested clarification on several points, she said.
Negi stated that with such a small honorarium, it is impossible for them to support their families. She reiterated that until their demands are met, no Anganwadi workers will engage in empowerment, child development, or BLO work.
Notably, Negi informed that Anganwadi workers long standing demands include an increase in the honorarium of Anganwadi workers by Rs 140 per day from the State government, along with a proposal to increase it to Rs 150 per day to be sent to the Central government, among others.
