Most Anganwadi demands fulfilled: AP Minister Sandhyarani urges workers to avoid protests
Parvathipuram Manyam, March 1
Andhra Pradesh Women and Child Welfare and Tribal Welfare Minister Gummadi Sandhyarani said that the coalition government has provided several facilities for Anganwadi workers and has not left them to struggle on the roads like the previous government.
The Minister stated that soon after taking charge, Anganwadi workers submitted a representation with ten demands, and out of them, nine demands have already been fulfilled.
She said that since the mobile phones provided during the previous government were not functioning properly, new 5G mobile phones were distributed. Basic infrastructure has also been provided at every Anganwadi centre.
"The government has granted 15 days of summer holidays for Anganwadi workers. Despite the state facing financial constraints, the government has been working to fulfil their demands," she added.
She said that discussions were held with Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu regarding salary hikes, and the government will examine the feasibility and take a decision on increasing salaries.
She also stated that increasing salaries from ₹11,000 to ₹26,000 immediately is not practically possible, and urged workers to consider the financial condition of the state.
She appealed to Anganwadi workers not to believe others and not participate in protests. She said that issues cannot be resolved through dharnas or hunger strikes, but only through discussions.The Minister requested workers to withdraw protests and maintain patience, assuring that the government is ready to fulfil all their demands if given some time. The anganwadi workers had launched a 42-day strike on February 24, claiming that the promises made by the Chandrababu-led government has not been fulfilled even after being in office for over 2 years.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Salary is the most important demand! How can you raise a family on ₹11,000? The minister says "consider the financial condition of the state," but did they consider the financial condition of the workers who have been waiting for 2+ years? The strike is justified.
As someone who has worked with community health, Anganwadi workers are the backbone of rural childcare and nutrition. Providing 5G phones and better infrastructure is great for data reporting and efficiency. Hope the salary discussion leads to a fair increase soon.
The appeal to avoid protests and have patience is a standard political line. If issues can't be resolved through dharnas, why did it take a 42-day strike for the minister to address this publicly? Action speaks louder than words. Fulfill the last demand on wages.
My sister is an Anganwadi worker. The summer holiday is a welcome relief, and the new phone helps her with her reports. But the salary issue is a constant worry. The jump from 11k to 26k seems huge, but even a phased increase would show good faith. Government should present a clear timeline.
Respectfully, the minister's statement feels one-sided. Acknowledging the workers' struggle is important. They are not on the road for fun; it's out of necessity. Dialogue is good, but it must be a two-way street with genuine empathy, not just requests for patience from a position of power.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.