Guwahati, Mar 17: The Assam State Anganwadi Workers and Helpers Union (ASAWHU) has announced a “Dispur Chalo” protest on March 21, demanding a wage hike and allocation of funds in the 2025-26 State Budget for Anganwadi workers.
In the state budget presented by Finance Minister Ajanta Neog, an honorarium increase for NHM, MDM, and ICDS workers was promised from October 1, 2025. However, no funds were allocated for Anganwadi workers, raising concerns among scheme workers who have been protesting for years.
“We submitted a memorandum on March 11, a day after the budget presentation, but there has been no response from the government,” said Indira Newar, general secretary of ASAWHU.
She urged Anganwadi workers and helpers to gather at Sachal Dharna Ground at 11 AM on March 21 before marching to Dispur with a community petition for a wage hike.
The union has been staging protests since 2021, including strikes, sit-ins, and a 21-day continuous demonstration from February 26.
In response, the Directorate of Child and Women Welfare formally sent a salary hike proposal to the Assam government for consideration. In June 2024, ASAWHU leaders met Child and Women Welfare Minister Ajanta Neog, who assured them that the proposal would be accepted.
Following this, on January 12, 2025, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma formed a four-member Cabinet Sub-Committee led by Ajanta Neog to study the issues of Anganwadi, ASHA, and cooking workers and make salary recommendations.
A union delegation met the sub-committee chairman on February 18, urging immediate action on salary hikes. “Despite all our efforts, the government has ignored our demands. The finance minister’s speech was encouraging, but not a single rupee has been allocated yet,” Newar stated.
With no concrete assurance, Anganwadi workers are set to intensify their protest on March 21, demanding fair wages and government accountability.
