Shillong, Sep 8: Thousands of Anganwadi workers from across the Garo Hills converged at Matchakolgre LP School in Tura on Monday, demanding the immediate withdrawal of the Face Recognition System (FRS) for accessing take-home rations and other government benefits.
The protest highlighted the hardships faced by poor and vulnerable families, particularly in remote areas with poor internet connectivity or technical access. Anganwadi workers from other states, such as Assam, have also raised similar concerns.
Key demands of the Anganwadis include to improved nutrition through hot, cooked meals or quality dry grain packets, gratuity benefits for workers as per the Supreme Court order, employee benefits, including pay scales, dearness allowance, pension, and provident fund, pension of Rs 10,000 per month, new Anganwadi centres in urban and remote areas, one-month summer vacation with dry ration provision, digital infrastructure, including tablets for Anganwadi centres and insurance scheme.
The workers urged state and central authorities to address their demands with urgency and seriousness, emphasising the critical role they play in the health and development of children and women in the region.
