Mangaluru: The members of the district unit of State Anganwadi Employees Association affiliated to the Centre of Indian Trade Union (CITU) began an indefinite stir in front of the DC’s office here on Monday, opposing an attempt to privatize the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) and to retain it in its present form.

Vasanth Achary, CITU leader told the protestors that privatization would intensely affect the interest of anganwadi workers across the country. “Nearly 50 percent of children suffered from malnutrition. It was necessary to provide nutritious food to these children through the ICDS”, he added.

He also said that the government should create a separate department for implementing the ICDS, instead of handing over it to NGO’s, corporate houses and self help groups.

‘Hike honorarium’

The protesters urged the government to drop all plans of privatization initiate steps to regularize the services of anganwadi workers and assistants, hike their monthly honorarium. “Even after 67 years of independence, the government has failed in its duty of providing food security to its citizens. Now, its planning to hand over welfare schemes to the hands of private individuals”, one of the protestors said. Ravikala said that the workers get only Rs 2,700 per month and are leading a pitiable life.

The indefinite strike will be held till February 15 and a protest will be held at Bengaluru on February 16.