Anganwadi strike hits child nutrition services in Uttarakhand

Bageshwar: As the statewide strike by Anganwadi workers in Uttarakhand entered its fourth week with around 15,000 workers boycotting duties since April 1 to demand a hike in honourarium, it is taking a toll on essential services for children and pregnant women.The closure of Anganwadi centres has disrupted nutrition supply, immunisation support and routine health check-ups in the state. Officials said the prolonged halt could raise the risk of malnutrition, especially in rural areas.A pregnant woman at a closed centre said, “Earlier, we received nutrition and regular health check-ups. Everything has stopped now. We are worried about our child’s health.” In Kapkot, the mother of a three-year-old said the closure has added to her burden during the wheat harvest.

“The nutrition support has stopped, and managing everything at home is difficult. I now have to take my child to the fields,” she said.District Programme Officer (Women Empowerment and Child Development) Manju Lata said efforts are underway to resolve the issue and restore services.The workers are demanding a monthly honorarium of Rs 18,000, up from the current Rs 9,300. They have also sought an increase in financial assistance to Rs 10 lakh in cases of retirement or accidental death, from the existing Rs 1 lakh. “The protest will continue until the government meets our demands,” said Rekha Negi, state president of the Anganwadi Karyakarti Sevika Mini Employees’ Organisation. “This is about wages, as well as dignity and survival.

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