Bengaluru sources have stated that a meeting with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah failed to convince thousands of anganwadi workers who pledged to continue their protest, which entered its second day on Tuesday. Consequently, nearly 65,000 anganwadis and mini-anganwadis remained closed throughout the State. The anger of the protesters, who are demanding an increase in honorarium to at least 10,000, spilled over to the Assembly sessions where the Opposition whose leaders had met the protesting workers had questioned the State government.
Though Mr. Siddaramaiah held a meeting with representatives of the Karnataka State Anganwadi Workers’ Association, a consensus could not be arrived at. The State government offered consultations on April 19 and claimed its inability to make promises owing to the model code of conduct enforced until the completion of by elections in Nanjangud and Gundlupet. “We have an open mind to the anganwadi demands,” said Mr. Siddaramaiah.
When returning to the site of the protest, S. Varlakshmi,
president of the anganwadi association, asked those gathered if this resolution
was acceptable. Overwhelmingly, the crowd disagreed and voted to continue their
protest until their demands are met.
The helper said "The demand for hikes seems to be as old as the scheme itself. In her 25 years of service, Siddamma Metri from Girisagar village in Bagalkot said she has been to countless protests, including to Delhi. “But this time, there is a sense of finality. We usually protest for a day and go back. Now, we will not leave until the government meets our demand".
