Flaying the government for not heeding to the concerns of workers working under ICDS scheme, Tarigami cautioned that such an attitude has created uncertainty among the ranks of workers and helpers.In a statement to KNS, Tarigami said that more deplorable is the attitude of the department towards those helpers who are assisting supervisors but being treated now as surplus after working for years together.These hapless helpers who have greatly contributed in making the scheme viable in the state have been pushed to the wall and the government seems to be insensitive towards their well being. Many of these workers have crossed the age limit and now face critical serious situation of losing their livelihood. The department must give up its callous attitude and ensure that their livelihood is not put at stake and initiate urgent measures for absorbing them in the scheme.
He also demanded release of wages in favor of Anganwari workers/helpers pending for more than six months. Not only the government should regularize these workers and helpers but it should also pay incentives to these officials as is being paid by the Haryana and Kerala governments.He also invited the attention of the government towards long pending demands of these ICDS officials which stress on allocation of adequate funds (especially enhancement in State share) for universalisation of ICDS to cover all the children below six years in the State.Regularizing ICDS and recognizing Anganwari workers and helpers as Grade III and Grade-IV government employees with minimum wages of Rs 15000 should be acceded to without any further delay, he demanded. (KNS)