Fearing job loss, anganwari workers launch agitation

Tribune News Service

Sangrur, November 22

To protest the state government’s decision to shift pre-nursery students to government schools, anganwari workers today started an indefinite hunger strike in front of the house of Minister of State for Social Security and Development of Women & Children Razia Sultana at Malerkotla.

They announced that the strike would continue till the acceptance of their demand to shift back students to anganwari centres.

The workers have formed a group of 11 members. One group will sit on strike, while other members will protest in Malerkotla city, which is the home constituency of the minister.

“The state government has done injustice with all workers by shifting children to primary schools without any logic. The workers were taking care of children in the best way, while now they are not even getting basic amenities,” said Gurmale Kaur, district president of the Anganwari Mulazim Union (CITU).

Three model centres to come up in Barnala

• The Barnala district administration has decided to develop three model anganwari centres to provide the required facilities to rural children
• The centres will be constructed at Chananwal, Thikriwal and Sohal Patti villages of the district. Children will get better facilities at these centres
• Deputy Commissioner Ghanshyam Thori says the work has already started and will be completed in a month’s time. These centres will have interactive classrooms equipped with all kinds of audio-visual facilities, children-friendly toilets and quality furniture TNS