Bageshwar: The statewide strike by Anganwadi workers in Uttarakhand has entered its fourth week, with around 15,000 workers boycotting duties since April 1 to demand a hike in honorarium. The prolonged protest is taking a toll on essential services for children and pregnant women.
Disruption of Essential Services
The closure of Anganwadi centres has disrupted nutrition supply, immunisation support, and routine health check-ups across the state. Officials warn that the prolonged halt could raise the risk of malnutrition, especially in rural areas where these centres are the primary source of nutritional support.
Impact on Beneficiaries
A pregnant woman at a closed centre expressed her concern: “Earlier, we received nutrition and regular health check-ups. Everything has stopped now. We are worried about our child’s health.” In Kapkot, the mother of a three-year-old shared that the closure has added to her burden during the wheat harvest. “The nutrition support has stopped, and managing everything at home is difficult. I now have to take my child to the fields,” she said.
Government Response
District Programme Officer (Women Empowerment and Child Development) Manju Lata said efforts are underway to resolve the issue and restore services. However, no concrete resolution has been reached so far.
Demands of the Workers
The workers are demanding a monthly honorarium of Rs 18,000, up from the current Rs 9,300. They have also sought an increase in financial assistance to Rs 10 lakh in cases of retirement or accidental death, from the existing Rs 1 lakh. “The protest will continue until the government meets our demands,” said Rekha Negi, state president of the Anganwadi Karyakarti Sevika Mini Employees’ Organisation. “This is about wages, as well as dignity and survival.”
The strike highlights the critical role of Anganwadi workers in providing nutrition and health services to vulnerable populations, and the urgent need for addressing their demands to prevent further deterioration of child and maternal health in the state.
