Asking the government to fulfill the genuine demands of Mid-Day Meal Workers, ASHAs, CPWs and Aganwadi workers/ helpers, CPI(M) leader M Y Tarigami today said the callous attitude of authorities has created uncertainty among these scheme workers.
Addressing a day-long convention of representatives of theseunions at Kulgam, he said the Mid Day Meal Scheme delivers basic services ofnutrition, in the schools and Mid Day Meal workers are not being paid minimumwages nor do they have any social security benefits. In the name of’honorarium’ or ‘incentive’ they are paid a pittance as low as Rs.1000 permonth for ten months a year. He demandedadequate financial allocation to this scheme to ensure proper infrastructure,including kitchen sheds, storage place and safe drinking water etc.
Urging the government to provide a dignified monthlyhonorarium to ASHA workers who essentially act as backbone of the healthstructure in rural areas of the state, the CPI (M) leader said the custom ofpaying poor compensation for extreme hard work should come to an end to protectthe women folk working in different sectors in Jammu and Kashmir. Thegovernment has totally neglected ASHA workers, who are contributing a lot tomake NHM a success scheme. The Government must consider the genuine demands ofASHAs which includes minimum wages of Rs 15,000 per month, all social securitybenefits like pension and gratuity.