MELAGHAR: Anganwadi workers of the Melaghar area submitted a deputation with a seven-point charter of demands to Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) Prabal Kanti Barman, seeking urgent redressal of long-pending grievances.
The workers demanded that their smartphone recharge allowance be fixed at ₹300, or alternatively that the office bear mobile recharge costs for a full year. They also sought monthly disbursement of feeding bills, and a revision of feeding rates in line with current market prices, which they said have doubled compared to the earlier fixed rate.
Other demands included timely payment of contingency bills and funds for sari uniforms, Dearness Allowance (DA) on par with government employees, and a dedicated fund of ₹10,000 for each Anganwadi centre.
The workers urged the CDPO to ensure swift implementation of these demands. Responding to the deputation, CDPO Prabal Kanti Barman acknowledged the legitimacy of their concerns and assured the workers that the demands would be forwarded to higher authorities for consideration.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, the Anganwadi workers reiterated their demands and appealed to the state government and the concerned department to act swiftly, stressing that rising costs of living have made the current pay and allowance structure increasingly inadequate for their work.