Odisha: Anganwadi workers on strike for over 3 weeks

Bhubaneswar: Anganwadi workers and helpers across Odisha are on strike for over three weeks to press for their demands, including regularisation of their services as class three government employees.

The Anganwadi workers and helpers association have been demanding minimum Rs 18,000 and Rs 9,000 per month respectively. While an Anganwadi worker now gets Rs 4,000 as monthly remuneration, a helper gets Rs 2,000 per month.

Women and Child Development Minister Prafulla Samal met them today and assured them that some of their key demands would be met within a month.

"If the state government fails to fulfil their demands within a month, the Anganwadi workers can take any steps they wish," the minister said.

The agitation is on for the 23rd day today and Anganwadi workers of Sundargarh district took part in the relay strike today. Their colleagues from Bargarh district had joined the stir on Tuesday.