Anganwadi Workers and Helpers Union Expresses Gratitude to Anganwadi and Crèche Workers and Helpers for Successful Public Meeting

Anganwadi Workers and Helpers Union Expresses Gratitude to Anganwadi and Crèche Workers and Helpers for Successful Public Meeting

Chandigarh 20 March ( Ranjeet Singh Dhaliwal ) : The Anganwadi Workers and Helpers Union has expressed its gratitude to all personnel—including Anganwadi workers and helpers, as well as Crèche workers and helpers—for participating in overwhelming numbers in the massive public meeting held yesterday, which was convened at the Union's behest. Workers and helpers from various Anganwadi centers, alongside their counterparts from crèches, attended the event in large numbers. Furthermore, in accordance with a resolution unanimously passed during the public meeting, the Union has appealed to all members to participate in even greater numbers—specifically, double the turnout seen yesterday—in the massive sit-in protest scheduled for April 9, 2026, to be held in front of the Department of Social Welfare office. Neelam Kumari (President, Anganwadi Workers and Helpers Union), Renu (General Secretary), Sunita Sharma (President, Crèche Workers and Helpers Union), and Rekha Gora stated that the sit-in protest scheduled for April 9 is being organized jointly on behalf of all employee unions working under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme. 

During yesterday's general assembly, the Union leaders sharply condemned the officials of the Department of Social Welfare, observing that while, on one hand, the Department beats the drum about public welfare and claims to be taking its schemes to every citizen, on the other hand, it is actively engaged in harassing the women employees who work tirelessly day and night within the Department. They further noted that despite repeated submission of memorandums of demands and declarations of protest by Anganwadi workers and helpers, the Department remains unwilling to engage in dialogue with Union representatives to resolve these issues. Consequently, the majority of the employees' demands remain pending.

Taking the Department of Social Welfare severely to task during the meeting, the Union leaders asserted that instead of reviewing the memorandums of demands repeatedly submitted by the Union and implementing the necessary measures, Department officials are subjecting the employees to harassment. They alleged that members of the "Poshan Team" are publicly humiliating helpers, workers, and even supervisors, and are engaging in inappropriate behavior—even towards the beneficiaries themselves—thereby fostering deep resentment and disillusionment among the beneficiaries as well. During the public meeting, a forceful demand was raised that: the DC rate (Deputy Commissioner rate) be implemented for all ICDS personnel; 100% promotional avenues be ensured—from Anganwadi Helper to Worker, Worker to Supervisor, Supervisor to CDPO, and CDPO to PO; fixed duty hours be established in accordance with ICDS guidelines; honorariums be paid in a timely manner; and the practice of issuing baseless, threatening warning letters—intended to pressure Helpers and Workers—be discontinued. Furthermore, a resolution was unanimously passed during the meeting demanding that: the decision to terminate the services of seven Crèche Workers and Helpers currently working in crèches be revoked, and they be immediately reinstated to duty; Crèche Workers and Helpers who were prematurely retired at the age of 60—in violation of ICDS norms which stipulate a retirement age of 65—be immediately reinstated; and the retired officer, Naresh Sharma, be barred from entering the office premises and be prevented from interfering in official administrative matters.