PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
The Jan Sangharsh Morcha has slammed the state government for its order to deduct 10 days of honorarium from Anganwadi workers, calling it a clear breach of promise.
Addressing a press conference here on Monday, the Morcha president and former Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN) vice- chairman, Raghunath Singh Negi stated that Anganwadi workers had been on a month-long protest a few months ago, to demand an increase in their honorarium. “This agitation was postponed upon receiving assurances from the government. During the negotiation, the government promised that the honorarium for the strike period would not be deducted but instead adjusted as special leave. They further assured an increase in the honorarium. But now they have backed down on the promise,” he said, adding that the Directorate has issued an order to cut the workers’ honorarium instead of adjusting the 10-day leave.
He further highlighted that the workers have not received their honorarium for two to three months, landing them in financial hardship. “Besides, the owners of the rented Anganwadi centres have also not received their rents for nearly three months. These developments have made these workers stare at a bleak future,” he said.
Negi also criticised the women empowerment and child development minister for her silence over the honorarium and rent issues. “She should act appropriately in this matter,” he said, adding that they would soon present the issues of increase in honorarium, 10-day honorarium deduction and unpaid rent to the owners of the centres.
