Port Blair, Aug 14: The General Body meeting of the Andaman & Nicobar Anganwadi Workers & Helpers Union was held at Kerala Samajam Hall, Port Blair on 13th August, 2023. AR Sindhu, CITU National Secretary and General Secretary of All India Federation of Anganwadi Workers & Helpers inaugurated the Meeting. Addressing the members of the Union, she said that the Modi government is trying to shut down the Anganwadi Centres in the country and said that ever since the present government came to power, the budget allocation for ICDS has been reduced gradually.  She said that braving the Covid Pandemic, the Anganwadi Workers and Helpers all over the country helped Covid patients and the community.

She said that mal-nutrition among children is increasing in the country despite the services rendered through ICDS. She said that in some States like UP, ration articles only for ten days’ are supplied through Anganwadi Centres. Anganwadi staffs are running the Anganwadi Centres with great difficulties due to non-cooperation and unfavourable attitude of the state governments. She said that only if the Union of Anganwadi workers and helpers are strengthened such harassment of these staff can be countered.  She further said that it is the CITU-affiliated Anganwadi Union in Gujarat which went to court and obtained a favourable order during 2022 on grant of Gratuity to retired Anganwadi Workers & Helpers. She called upon the Anganwadi Workers and Helpers in the islands to remain connected with the CITU-affiliated Anganwadi Union in Andaman & Nicobar Islands to achieve their demands.  

Anganwadi Workers & Helpers raised a number of doubts on manh issues which were cleared by AR Sindhu. D. Ayyappan, Vice President, CITU State Committee also addressed the General Body meeting and assured the Anganwadi staff that CITU in the islands will continue to render the required help and advice to the Union. P. Krishnaprasa, Finance Secretary, All Indian Kisan Sabha, R. Surendran Pillai President and B. Chandrachoodan, General Secretary and M. Yugander, Secretary of CITU State Committee were present on the occasion.  Earlier, President, A & N Anganwadi Workers & Helpers Union Geeta Devi welcomed the gathering while R. Anbukkarsi, General Secretary proposed vote of thanks. 

Hundreds of Anganwadi Workers & Helpers from different parts of these islands attended the General Body meeting.