Mysore/Mysuru: Demanding gratuity and pension, Anganawadi workers and helpers staged a protest in city on Monday. The protest was organised under the banner of Karnataka Anganwadi Workers and Helpers Federation.

The protestors, who assembled in front of Deputy Commissioner’s (DC’s) Office, expressed anger against the State Government.

Addressing the protestors, Federation’s State Board member D. Jagannath said that though the Supreme Court has said that Anganawadi workers and helpers are eligible for gratuity under the The Payment of Gratuity Act (1972) our demand for gratuity is not being fulfilled.

The Apex Court has also said that Anganawadi Centres are functioning under National Food Security Act (NFSA) 2013, Sec 11 and Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act. But the State and Central Governments are doing injustice to Anganwadi workers and helpers,” he alleged.

Stating that many Anganawadi  workers and helpers have died and most of them are facing severe financial crisis, Jagannath warned that the agitation will be intensified if their demands are not fulfilled. Anganawadi activists Sarojamma, Bhuvaneshwari, Girija, Shantamma and others took part  in the protest.