Anganwadi workers seek salary hike

Our Correspondent

Srinagar, February 21

Seeking an increase in honorarium and better working conditions, anganwadi workers today held a protest at the city centre here. The protesters also blocked the road in the area leading to a traffic jam.

The protesters had come together under the banner of the Jammu and Kashmir Anganwadi Workers and Helpers’ Association and were demanding an increase in wages and better working conditions.

The demonstrators blocked the road near Women’s College for one and a half hours, causing traffic jams in the area. They also raised anti-government slogans.

The demands included a salary hike, increase in honorariums for helpers, allocation of medical leave and promotion on seniority basis.

“We are giving final ultimatum to the government to resolve our grievances or be ready for a mass protest,” Tasleema, president of the association, said. “From March 1, we are going to launch Valley-wide protests if our demands are not fulfilled,” she said. The protesters were demanding an increase in the monthly honorarium to Rs 10,000 for helpers and Rs 18,000 for workers.