Budget pressure mounts as Anganwadi workers stage massive protest in Bengaluru

Anganwadi workers and mid-day meal cooks hold joint protest at Freedom Park, demanding higher honorarium, Sixth Guarantee implementation, gratuity for retirees, and fair wages.

The Karnataka government faced fresh pressure ahead of the Budget as thousands of Anganwadi workers and helpers staged a massive protest at Freedom Park in Bengaluru on Monday, demanding immediate action on long-pending welfare and financial issues.

The protest was organised by the AITUC-backed State Anganwadi Workers and Helpers Federation. Workers from various districts across Karnataka arrived in large numbers, raising strong slogans against the government and urging it to prioritise their demands in the upcoming Budget.

The protesters demanded a substantial increase in honorarium, insisting that Anganwadi workers be paid ₹15,000 per month and helpers ₹10,000 per month. They also pressed for the immediate implementation of the government’s Sixth Guarantee, which promises better welfare measures for frontline workers.

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Another major demand was the extension of gratuity benefits to all Anganwadi workers and helpers who retired from service after 2011. Protesters said thousands of retired employees are yet to receive this rightful benefit despite years of service.

The workers also opposed the practice of forcefully assigning Booth Level Officer (BLO) duties, stating that the additional burden severely affects their core responsibilities. They demanded that the government immediately withdraw compulsory BLO assignments.

Alongside the Anganwadi protest, members of the mid-day meal cooks’ association also held a demonstration at the same venue, demanding minimum wages, better working conditions, and revision of cooking costs. This led to two major protests unfolding simultaneously at Freedom Park, intensifying the pressure on the state administration.

The agitation began at 10 am, with protesters voicing anger over stagnant pay, rising living costs, and increasing workload. Leaders said repeated appeals to the government had failed, forcing workers to take to the streets.

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Apart from salary hikes, the charter of demands included starting LKG and UKG classes in Anganwadi centres, increasing cooking costs for preparing nutritious food, raising daily allowance beyond the existing ₹30, releasing advance funds for constructing Anganwadi buildings, and providing free medical facilities to workers.

They also sought an increase in the monthly pension, revision of egg procurement prices as per market rates, relaxation in residence rules during compassionate appointments, continuation of BPL cards, and enhancement of retirement age to 65 years, in line with other states.

Protest leaders warned that if their demands are ignored in the Budget, they would intensify the agitation across the state in the coming days.