CITU, TAWHU demand withdrawl of GO 19

Telangana Anganwadi workers, helpers take out protest rally

Warangal Urban: The CITU affiliated Telangana Anganwadi Workers and Helpers Union (TAWHU) has objected to GO 19 issued by State government with guidelines for discontinuing the service benefits of Anganwadi teachers, helpers and workers.

It might be recalled that following a proposal by the Director of Women Development and child welfare the government fixed disengagement age as 60 years for anganwadi teachers, helpers and mini anganwadi workers.

It was decided to provide end of service benefit of Rs.60, 000 to teachers and Rs.30, 000 to helpers and mini-anganwadi workers as one-time settlement. The government must withdraw the GO as it was against the interests of the teachers and workers demanded the union leaders.

A massive protest rally was taken out and a demonstration was staged at Warangal (Rural) Collectorate in Hanamkonda on Monday by Anganwadi workers under the aegis of The Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU).

Speaking to the media, state CITU secretary Paladugu Bhaskar said that since the launch of anganwadis in October 1975 under Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme, the teachers and workers offered valuable services.

However, the government was now trying to get rid of them in a discourteous manner by offering a pittance as the service benefit. In fixing the service benefits, the government must follow the Payment of Gratuity Act 1972. As per the Act, the service benefit should be paid at a rate of 15 days wages for every completed year of service.

Therefore, the anganwadi teachers must be paid Rs 3 lakh and helpers be given Rs 2 lakh, he demanded adding half of the last drawn wages should be offered as pension.

Bhaskar and the CITU district president M Chukkaiah alleged that the State and central governments were trying to weaken the ICDS scheme. They also opposed the state government’s reported decision to supply the ration given to anganwadi centre through fair price shops as it would disturb anganwadis functioning.

Referring to the recent statement by civil supplies commissioner CV Anand that rice supplied through fair price shops would be brought underDirect Benefit Transfer (DBT) the CITU leaders alleged that it would be nothing but implementing DBT in ICDS scheme.

Anganwadi Workers and Helpers Union Warangal Rural district convener B Rukmini, leaders Sk. Yakubi, J Swaroopa, Satyavathi, Nagamma, Ch Venkatamma, CITU leader T Sambaiah and others were present.