Anganwadi workers protest over govt’s ‘autocratic’ orders

The Aanganwadi Mulazim Union in Ludhiana district held a protest at Gill Road today and submitted a memorandum to the state government, criticising what it termed as its “autocratic” approach. Subhash Rani, the president of the union, said the state government was shirking its responsibility and, instead of increasing the budget, had imposed further “burdens” by directing workers to complete the KYC and face identification process of beneficiaries.

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The workers, who had gathered in good numbers, raised anti-government slogans and said such tedious tasks were a way for the government to avoid its responsibilities towards poor and needy women and children. “We are not literate, nor do we have the money to buy mobile phones. Just for the sake of getting a small amount of ration, why should we be punished and forced to purchase smartphones?” questioned the protesting workers.

The workers asserted that such an attitude would not be tolerated and demanded that the government withdraw these directions and ensure that ration is distributed to the needy in a simple and accessible manner.