Anganwadi workers call off stir

BHUBANESWAR: The anganwadi workers on Saturday suspended their ongoing agitation following assurance from the State Government to consider their demands. The anganwadi workers were on an indefinite dharna since September 14 pressing for fulfilment of their demands. However, the anganwadi workers have decided to draw the attention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to their demands. Memoranda addressed to the Prime Minister through the block development officers will be submitted from November 1 to 7. The anganwadi workers will organise a public meeting at New Delhi on November 17.

“We have suspended the stir as the State Government has fulfilled 50 per cent of our demands and has assured to fulfil the rest,” All-Odisha Anganwadi Workers’ Federation general secretary Anjali Patel said.
 Minister of Women and Child Development Prafulla Samal said the anganwadi workers have postponed their agitation after accepting the decision taken by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. Decision on rest of their demands will be taken after further talks, he added.

They were on a dharna demanding fulfilment their 12-point charter of demands which among others included minimum remuneration of `18,000 for workers and `9,000 for helpers per month. 
The agitating workers were also demanding a minimum pension of `3,000 per month, Government employee status and revised insurance policy.