Mumbai: Anganwadi Sevikas, who work for the State government, blocked road traffic near Maha Palika Marg during their protest at the Azad Maidan to press their demand for hike in wages recently.

The Additional Commissioner of Police, Krishna Prakash and Zonal Deputy Commissioner, Ravindra Shisve, were asked by the authorities to rush to the spot as the the Anganwadis blocked the north-bound stretch of the Maha Palika Marg for about half an hour.

The Anganwadi Sevikas had a meeting with State Chief Minister, Prithviraj Chavan, who assured to consider their issue after which they withdrew their agitation. Around 20,000 Anganwadi Sevikas from all over the State had assembled at Azad Maidan and agitated for more than seven hours.

They demanded to raise their wages, as all of them believe that they are being underpaid by the authorities for their work.
According to Bhagwan Deshmukh, president of the union, “Later in the evening, Chief Minister, Prithviraj Chavan, assured that their grievances would be kept before the next Cabinet meeting”.

It is learnt that around two lakh women are associated with the Maharashtra Rajya Anganwadi Sevika Sangh, who took part in the protest.