Anganwadi staff seek Rs 140 daily hike, warn of indefinite stir

Bageshwar: Anganwadi workers across Almora and Bageshwar staged protests on Monday, demanding an increase in honorarium and resolution of long-pending issues. They warned of intensifying their agitation if the state govt failed to take a decision soon.In Almora, workers from all 11 development blocks gathered at the district headquarters and raised slogans against the state govt. After a meeting, they marched through the main market, alleging that their concerns had been ignored despite repeated representations.In Bageshwar, workers took out a procession and reiterated similar demands. They said their workload had increased over the years due to additional responsibilities under various govt schemes, but their honorarium and facilities had not been revised.The workers demanded a Rs 140 per day increase in honorarium from the state govt and sought that a proposal for an additional Rs 150 per day hike be sent to the Centre. They also called for a govt order ensuring Rs 10 lakh retirement benefits without additional qualification criteria.Among other demands, they sought withdrawal of the Rs 300 monthly deduction under the revised retirement scheme, in which the payout has been raised from Rs 35,000–40,000 to Rs 1 lakh. The protesters opposed linking Anganwadi centres to biometric attendance systems, citing network issues. They also demanded simplification of KYC and face capture processes, higher mobile recharge allowances, and replacement of faulty mobile devices.Other demands included enhancement of building rent with direct transfer to bank accounts, additional honorarium for work undertaken for other departments concerned, recruitment of supervisors based on seniority, extension of benefits under the Nanda Gaura scheme, and early release of pending maternity scheme funds.The workers warned that if the govt failed to respond favourably, they would gherao the minister concerned on the 26th. If their demands remained unaddressed, they said they would launch an indefinite sit-in in a phased manner.Addressing the protest in Bageshwar, state vice-president Vimla Kohli said it was difficult to run a household on a monthly honorarium of Rs 9,000 amid rising prices. She said increasing school fees, ration costs and daily expenses had added to their burden.The protests reflect growing discontent among Anganwadi workers in the region as they await a response from the state govt.