Anganwadi workers put strike on hold

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Bhubaneswar: The anganwadi workers, who had been on an indefinite strike since September 12, have decided to put the agitation on hold.

“We will resume the strike, if the state government fails to resolve our issues within the next three months,” All Odisha Anganwadi Workers’ Association president Anjali Patel said, adding that they have decided to hold a mass convention at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi on November 17.

Women and Child Development Minister Prafulla Samal had issued an ultimatum to the anganwadi workers on Thursday and said that the government will explore alternatives, if they failed to rejoin work the following day.

Two days prior to that, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had announced a hike in the monthly remuneration of anganwadi workers to Rs 6,000 and that of mini-anganwadi workers and helpers to Rs 4,125 and Rs 3,000 respectively.

While a few groups resumed work following the announcement, many continued the strike sticking to their demand for Rs 18,000 monthly salary and regularisation of services.