It is recalled here that six lakh asha workers, 10 lakh anganwadi workers went on strike on August 7 across the country to press for their demands.

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra supported the demands of UP anganwadi workers for being given status of state employees. These workers have been demanding rise in their honorarium and pension also.

Among other demands, the workers want that the implementation of recommendation of 45th and 46th Indian Labour Conference on recognition, minimum wages and pension.

Priyanka Gandhi said that the Asha workers of UP take up the responsibility of health of a pregnant woman for nine months for which they get only Rs 600.

Supporting the demands of the agitation of anganwadi workers, CPI state secretary, Girish Sharma said his party would fight on street for the genuine demands.

CPI leader said that anganwadi workers were risking their lives and visiting door to door to find out about those affected by corona virus, monitor those who are kept in quarantine and home isolation besides distribution of ration and healthy food.

Highlighting the new responsibility on these workers, CPI leader said that during pandemic, 40 lakh migrant labourers returned to UP villages and they have their families.

Girish Sharma said that due to lockdown, the children were affected due to malnutrition .These anganwadi workers are not only looking after these children but also carrying out vaccination and other health related issues.

CPI leader said that in villages there was no other system other than anganwadi workers who could help women and children.

Girish Sharma disclosed that there was no fresh appointment of anganwadi workers since 2012 and after retrenchment being carried out by Yogi government, there would be no worker in 35 percent of anganwadi centres in UP to look after the problem of corona virus and malnutrition.

CPI leader pointed out that majority of anganwadi workers were either widows or from poor families. He further said Yogi government had issued order to retrench all those workers who were 60 plus without prior notice.

CPI leader Girish Sharma said that he had written letter to CM Yogi Adityanath to look into the genuine demands of anganwadi workers and adopt sympathetic view on the situation affecting the lives of poor and hapless women. (IPA Service)