Karnataka Rajya Anganwadi Naukarara Sangha working president Shanta Ghanti was addressing reporters in Kalaburagi on Friday. , Photo credit: ARUN KULKARNI
The Karnataka Rajya Anganwadi Naukarara Sangha has announced that it will go on an indefinite strike from December 1, urging the Union government to address the long-pending issues related to the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme.
Sangha state working president Shanta ghanti, CITU district president MB Sajjan and vice-president Gouramma Patil said at a press conference here on Friday that though the ICDS, started in 1975, had played a key role in improving social indicators and the country’s Human Development Index (HDI), the scheme had been watered down over the years. They alleged that the funding formula was reduced to 60:40 after the introduction of NITI Aayog; Anganwadi centers were underfunded and struggled to maintain the basic equipment needed to support children.
Ms. Ghanti and Ms. Patil emphasized that nearly 28 million anganwadi workers and helpers continued to work for very low remuneration. They said that anganwadi workers from Bengaluru Urban, Bengaluru Rural, Bengaluru South, Kolar, Chikkaballapura, Bidar, Kalaburagi, Yadgir and Raichur districts will shut down the anganwadi centers and join protests in Bengaluru, Tumakuru, Mandya and Hubballi who want their members from December 1 and also Sabballi to submit to all its members on December 1. The agitation will continue till the Union ministers visit the protest sites, receive their memorandum and ensure that their long pending demands are addressed in the budget.
The anganwadi workers demanded that the Union government should officially celebrate the 50th anniversary of ICDS and make the ICDS system permanent or at least set up a separate directorate until it is legalised. The workers are also demanding an increase in their remuneration, pointing out that they are still getting only ₹2,700 and ₹1,350 respectively, and have urged the government to introduce minimum wages. They want the Facial Recognition System (FRS) to be removed or Wi-Fi provided in all Anganwadi centers if it continues.
The employees also asked to be exempted from election duties and demanded to be treated as civil servants with due legal benefits. Furthermore, they want to be recognized as employees III. and IV. degree and requested that LKG and UKG classes be introduced in all anganwadi centers to strengthen early education.
Published – 29 Nov 2025 17:18 IST
