Bengaluru: The four-day long strike by anganwadi workers was called off around 6.30 pm on Thursday after the state government promised to meet as many of their demands as possible.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who held talks with the anganwadi workers and their union members, reportedly assured them that the government would look into all their grievances and try to meet their demands, if not in full, then at least partially.
Later, Minister for Women and Child Welfare, Umashree, informed the agitating workers at Freedom Park that the government would hold a meeting with all the stakeholders on April 10 to discuss their demands. “This meeting was originally scheduled for April 19, but we are ready to hold it on April 10,” she said.
Assuring that the state government would meet all their demands in phases, she added, “I don't know about the assurances given by previous governments, but we will deliver on our promise.” Later addressing the agitators, an anganwadi worker, Varalakshmi, who led the protest, said it was being withdrawn temporarily in response to the assurances given by the state government.
“It has promised to meet most of our demands and increase our salary as much as possible. But if it fails to act on its promise we will barge into the Chief Minister’s home,” she warned.
Meanwhile, as thousands of anganwadi agitators began to leave Freedom Park, a massive traffic jam was seen on the roads nearby and buses and trains heading for North Karnataka saw a huge rush for tickets .
What they sought and got
- A Rs 4,000 increase in the salary and other perks on par with government employees.
- Pointing out that a Rs 1,000 hike in their salary had been announced in the budget, the government agreed to consider an additional Rs 3,000 hike and announce its decision on April 10.
- A Rs 2,000 hike, increased perks, including maternity leave on par with government employees, medical insurance and a one -time pension benefit likely to be announced on April 10 meeting
- Chief Minister S Siddaramaiah and Women and Child Welfare Minister Umashree and union leaders Varalakshmi and ex- MLA G.V. Shrirama Reddy attended the meeting on Thursday
