PANAJI
The Anganwadi workers decided to halt their agitation following tense moments outside the Chief Minister’s residence in Altinho late Wednesday night and a subsequent meeting with CM Pramod Sawant.
Insisting they were still not satisfied with the government’s offer, the striking workers decided to suspend their agitation and will decide on their future course of protest at the next union meeting on Sunday.
Sawant held a joint meeting with the striking Anganwadi workers' leaders on Thursday morning in the Secretariat and the meeting was attended by Leader of Opposition Digambar Kamat.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant later said there was confusion among the two unions of the Anganwadi workers, adding that their demand for salary hike was already accepted and a circular in this regard was issued in December.
"The government had already accepted 80-90 per cent of all their demands and their salary was hiked in November and a circular was issued on December 20. Their retirement benefits have also been increased in November. There has been some confusion between the union and officers concerned,” said Sawant, while speaking to media persons after the meeting.
Kamat said from discussions at the meeting, it appeared there was consensus on some issues.
Hridaynath Shirodkar, an advisor to the Anganwadi workers, claimed that the pay rise of Rs 1,500 for Anganwadi workers and Rs 750 for helpers given by the government is very less as there has been no pay rise since the last 10 years.
“As we have received the circular on the pay-rise, we have replied in writing to the government. We will decide on the future course of action,” said Shirodkar.
Shirodkar said that CM had asked them to submit a proposal of a scheme for pension for Anganwadi workers and also accepted the demand of appointment of a nominee for accidental death benefits and continuity of service for those who are promoted from helpers to workers.
Shirodkar accused the director and deputy director of the women and child department of creating confusion and not conveying the demands of the Anganwadi workers to the Chief Minister’s Office.
Aganwadi workers have been protesting for the last 7 days at Azad Maidan and when the government did not respond to their demands, the workers then marched to the CM’s house on Wednesday.
Tension prevailed on Wednesday midnight when a police force tried to clear the agitators. The police then detained Shirodkar and some of the agitators, before taking them to the Pernem police station.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant offered to meet the agitating workers at night, but they refused to interact with him till detained persons were released by police.
The Anganwadi workers claimed that police had assaulted some of the workers, with one of them sustaining injuries and being hospitalised. The Anganwadi workers union has demanded an inquiry in the matter.
Leaders of various political parties, including the Congress, Goa Forward, TMC and AAP have denounced the police action on the workers and have pledged support to the agitating Anganwadi workers.
