Even as the protest by Anganawadi workers, who are demanding an increase in their honorarium, entered the third day today, the protest issue echoed in both the houses of the State Legislature for the second day today, with Opposition Leaders taking the Government to task for its failure to end the deadlock.

Chief Minister Siddharamaiah, replying to the Opposition charges, said that his Government had announced several facilities for Anganawadi workers which included reimbursement of medical bills, wage hike and employment on compassionate ground. But the Government cannot take instant decisions on all of Anganawadi workers demands, he said and added that the Government was doing everything possible for their welfare.

On Tuesday, the second day of the protest, a quick effort by Chief Minister Siddharamaiah to convince Anganawadi workers to withdraw their strike, failed after the protesting women refused to accept his assurances.

The CM scheduled a meeting on Tuesday afternoon, which was attended by Minister for Women and Child Development Umashree and others. But Siddharamaiah’s meeting with representatives of the Karnataka State Anganawadi Workers Association (KSAWA), failed to arrive at a consensus despite the CM’s claim that the Govt. had an open mind to their demands.

The State Government offered consultations on April 19 and claimed its inability to make promises owing to the model code of conduct in place till the completion of Nanjangud and Gundlupet by-poll.

KSAWA President S. Varalakshmi, returning to the protest site at Freedom Park, asked the protesting Anganawadi workers if the Government’s offer was acceptable. But the workers overwhelmingly disagreed and resolved to continue the protest until their demands are met.