Aganwadi workers announce protests over poor wages, official harassment in Jammu
Jammu: In Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, rural childcare and nutrition workers known as Aganwadi workers in Jammu have announced district-level demonstrations outside Programme Officer (PO) offices, protesting official harassment, poor service conditions and the continued neglect of their longstanding demands.
According to Kashmir Media Service, leaders of the Aganwadi Workers Welfare Association, including General Secretary Shoba Sharma and Deputy Organizing Secretary Ashok Choudhary, said that several Child Development Project Officers (CDPOs) and supervisors were forcing workers to upload geo-tagged photographs three times a day using obsolete mobile phones provided in 2018-19.
They said the outdated 2G devices frequently fail to function properly despite the increasing digital workload, while workers are allegedly being compelled to sign affidavits accepting misconduct and authorizing the department to terminate their services if photographs are not uploaded due to technical glitches.
The association alleged that although the central government had allocated funds nearly a year ago for the purchase of new mobile phones, the department had failed to procure them. It demanded that workers be provided with updated mobile phones, SIM cards and recharge facilities before being required to perform technology-based tasks.
The association further said that several issues raised with the Social Welfare Minister in June this year remain unresolved. It complained that Aganwadi workers in occupied Jammu and Kashmir continue to receive only Rs 600 as the state share since 2010, with no increase for the past 16 years, while neighboring states provide substantially higher financial support.
The association also criticized delays in the release of fuel charges and rent, non-payment of incentives, and the irregular supply of nutrition and take-home ration for beneficiaries, warning that the continued neglect of workers and welfare schemes has triggered growing public dissatisfaction and protests.
