Karnataka anganwadi workers to lock centres, boycott work as part of mass protest on July 9

State president of the Karnataka State Anganwadi Workers Association S. Varalakshmi addressing a press conference in Kalaburagi on Monday. | Photo Credit: ARUN KULKARNI

The Karnataka State Anganwadi Workers Association affiliated to centre of Indian trade Union (CITU) has decided to shut down the anganwadi centres and boycott work on July 9 as part of the mass protest organised by the anganwadi workers and helpers.

S.Varalakshmi, State president of the Association addressing press persons in Kalaburagi city on Monday demanded the government to regularize the services of anganwadi workers and helpers, increase the budget for Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) and to revise the honorarium. 

Recently the Gujarat High Court ruled that anganwadi workers and helpers are entitled to be absorbed as permanent government employees. Considering this, Ms Varalakshmi said that the service of anganwadi workers and helpers should be regularized and they should be paid a minimum wage of ₹ 26,000 a month and monthly pension of ₹ 10,000.

Ms Varalakshmi said that anganwadi workers were tasked with registering beneficiaries’ details in the POSHAN Tracker application, which had made their job harder, the app has purportedly increased their workload.

The other demands includes starting the LKG and UKG classes in anganwadi centres, filling up the vacant posts of anganwadi workers and helpers and providing basic amenities and infrastructure facilities at all the anganwadi centres, she added.(eom)

Published - June 17, 2025 08:05 am IST