Anganwadi workers protest against FRS, demand hike in wages

Dibrugarh: Hundreds of Anganwadi workers and helpers on Thursday protested at Chowkidinghee in Dibrugarh, opposing the newly implemented Facial Recognition System (FRS) for food distribution and demanding better wages and working conditions.Wearing black badges, the demonstrators, under the banner of Assam Rajyik Anganwadi Karmi Aru Sahayika Santha, said their primary grievance was regarding the mandate to use FRS, via the poshan tracker app, which requires workers to upload beneficiaries' photos and information. Under the system, which has been implemented from July 1, food rations, under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme, are to be only distributed after a successful facial biometric match.Terming the system impractical, especially in rural areas, the protesters alleged that technological mandate would create barriers for the vulnerable population. "This new system is completely disconnected from our reality. Many of us cannot afford smartphones and even those who have one struggle with poor connectivity in remote villages. Sometime, even the OTP doesn't come. How does the govt expect us to upload data and scan faces without a reliable signal or the money for mobile data recharges?" said an Anganwadi worker.A key concern raised was the loss of flexibility that previously allowed a family member to collect rations, if a beneficiary, often a young mother, was unavailable. The rigid FRS protocol, they fear, will inevitably lead to nutritional deprivation for the very individuals the scheme is designed to protect."Under the old system, if a mother was unwell, her sister or mother could collect the food for her child. Now, that is impossible. The govt must assure that no one is deprived,"Besides the rollback of the FRS, the union presented a list of demands addressing their welfare. These included smartphones for all workers, monthly reimbursement for mobile expenses, an increased budget allocation for ICDS and a significant hike in their honorarium.While the state cabinet recently approved a raise, the protesters deemed it insufficient, demanding a minimum wage of Rs 12,000 for workers and Rs 7,000 for helpers.

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