Srinagar, Oct 6 (KNS) : A delegation of the Anganwadi Workers and Helpers Union, J&K, affiliated with the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), on Tuesday met Srinagar MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi and sought his intervention in getting their long-pending demands redressed.

Union in a statement issued to news agency Kashmir News Service (KNS) said, the delegation demanded enhancement of the honorarium of Anganwadi Workers and Helpers at par with other states and union territories, including Telangana, Kerala, Karnataka and Delhi, where substantially better remuneration is being provided, it said.

It also sought extension of comprehensive social security coverage to them, including pensionary benefits, medical facilities and insurance coverage, timely and regular payment of Poshan incentives and other admissible incentives, regular disbursal of monthly honorarium and enhancement of the UT Government's share in it.

The statement said the delegation apprised the MP of the critical role being played by Anganwadi Workers and Helpers in the care, development and upbringing of children below six years of age — from providing supplementary nutrition and ensuring their nutritional well-being to imparting pre-primary education, facilitating health and developmental interventions and implementing programmes under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) and Poshan initiatives.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

Despite the nature and importance of their responsibilities, the workers and helpers continue to face serious economic insecurity, inadequate remuneration and lack of comprehensive social security, the delegation said, stressing that their contribution should be recognised through dignified remuneration, timely payments and adequate welfare measures.

The delegation was led by CITU Kashmir Secretary Abdul Rashid Pandit and senior CITU leader Lateefa Ganai. Others who were part of it included Haneefa Malik, Surya Jabeen, Uzma Banoo, Gulzara Jee and Zahida Zargar.

MP Mehdi gave the delegation a patient hearing and assured it that their long-pending and legitimate demands would be taken up at the appropriate levels, including in the Lok Sabha, with the concerned authorities for early redressal, the statement said.

The MP acknowledged the important role being played by Anganwadi Workers and Helpers and assured the delegation of his support in highlighting their genuine concerns before the concerned forums, it added. (KNS)