Srinagar
Strongly condemning the use of force against protesting Anganwadi workers and helpers demanding regularization of their services in Jammu, CPI(M) leader and MLA Kulgam Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami on Friday said it seems the present dispensation is only relying and taking forward the policy of browbeating and application of force to muzzle genuine voices of protesting employees.
Terming the police action against protesting Anganwadi workers and helpers as unjustifiable, he called for an immediate end to such bullying tactics adopted by the Government. In a statement issued here, he urged the government to hold negotiations with the protesting Anganwadi workers and helpers and sort out their issues amicably. These workers and helpers are working on meagre wages since long and their demands are genuine.
Anganwadi workers and helpers have greatly contributed in making the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) viable in the state but they have been pushed to the wall and the state government seems to be insensitive towards their well-being. The administrative apathy towards their genuine issues is against justice and fair play. Social security benefits including promotion, gratuity, pension, provident fund, medical and other facilities should be provided to all Anganwari workers and helpers.
The CPI (M) leader also lashed out at the move of traffic police Jammu that rendered hundreds of poor Rehdi-Fadi vendors jobless. It is the duty of government to provide jobs to its citizen and in case if the government fails citizen have the right to do any self-employed job to earn a livelihood. He said authorities disallow them to run their small business for more than one month now.
He urged upon the government to permit these poor workers to reinstall their Rehdi-Fadi at their existing places so that they are able to earn a livelihood and may not suffer anymore.
