Another Chalo Vijayawada unavoidable: Sunitha
No timely salaries to anganwadi staff

AMARAVATI: TDP anganwadi state president Achanta Sunitha on Wednesday expressed concern that the YSRCP Government had betrayed the anganwadi staff by totally ignoring the promises made to them.

Sunitha said that the anganwadi centres flourished like centres of learning during the TDP rule but now they got stuck in a web of troubles under the inefficient regime of the YSRCP.

In a statement here, the TDP leader said that the anganwadi staff were not even getting their salaries in time. Moreover, the benefits under various welfare programmes were not reaching them. CM Jagan Reddy failed miserably to stand by his vow to transform the anganwadi kendras completely.

Sunitha recalled how the Chief Minister toured all over the State promising to raise the salaries of anganwadi staff. But once he got the CM chair, Jagan Reddy totally forgot his promises. He washed his hands of their demand by simply issuing a GO giving just Rs. 11,500.

The TDP leader condemned the manner in which the anganwadi workers were being harassed by not giving them salaries in time. They had risked their lives during the Covid-19 pandemic and delivered nutritious food to pregnant women and lactating mothers. However, the Government was remaining indifferent to their benefits and welfare.

Sunitha termed it as highly objectionable that the YCP regime had kept pending crores of bills to contractors who supplied milk, eggs and vegetables to the anganwadi kendras. The Chief Minister has been releasing thousands of crores for paying his benami contractors. But he was not having any heart to give proper salaries to the anganwadi staff.

Expressing concern, the TDP leader said that the contractors were not supplying as the Government did not pay their bills. As a result, the anganwadi workers had to spend Rs. 4,000 or so from their pockets. The CM was behaving as if it was enough that his personal treasury should be filled regardless of whatever would happen to all others in the State.

Sunitha demanded that the Jagan Government should at least now change its attitude and pay the pending salary dues. A minimum salary of Rs. 21,000 should be paid to anganwadis. The PF and ESI facility should be provided. Over Rs. 50 Lakh ex gratia should be paid in case of death of any staff after being infected with Coronavirus while on duty.

The TDP leader warned the Government that there would be another Chalo Vijayawada agitation if the Government failed to fulfill its promises to the anganwadis.