Anganwadi workers seek job, relief for colleague’s family

Tribune News Service

Mandi, January 20

The Anganwadi Workers Association Kullu is demanding adequate compensation for the family of Geeta Devi, an anganwadi worker who died while on official duty in Kullu district on Sunday. She was moving towards remote Shakti village in Banjar subdivision of Kullu district to administer polio vaccine to children but midway she slipped on the snowy path and fell into a deep gorge. She later died.

Geeta’s husband was accompanying her when the incident occurred. The area is quite remote and receives considerable snowfall during the winter, which makes movement difficult and risky.

There is resentment among local people against the district administration as well as the district health authorities, which had directed Geeta to visit this remote village to administer polio vaccine.

Yoga Rani, president of Anganwadi Workers Association Kullu, said, “It was an unfortunate incident that shocked us. Anganwadi workers in the state perform their duties dedicatedly even in remote areas by putting their safety at stake and the case of Geeta Devi testifies it. She did not bother about her safety to accomplish her duty, which cost her life. The emoluments paid by the government to anganwari workers are very low and insufficient for survival”.

“We urge Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur to provide adequate compensation to Geeta’s family and a government job to a member of her family. It is an unbearable loss to the bereaved family,” she added.

Rohini Chaudhari, Chairperson of Zila Parishad Kullu, said that Shakti, Maror and Shugad villages in Banjar subdivision of Kullu district are remotely located and lack basic facilities such as road connectivity and power supply as they fall in the Great Himalayan National Park area. The villagers have to walk around 20 km from Niharni to reach their homes. The government should work to provide road connectivity and power supply to these villages, she added.

Satya Prakash Thakur, former Horticulture Minister, said that the state government should provide adequate compensation to the bereaved family. It is a shocking incident. Banjar MLA Surender Shourie said, “I have taken up the issue with Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur and urged him to provide compensation to the family of the victim. I have requested the Chief Minister to also provide a government job a member of Geeta’s family”.

The CITU Banjar Block Committee has demanded Rs 30 lakh as compensation and a government job for a member of Geeta’s family.