ViewsNow
Your Daily Dose of Insightful News
AIFAWH Delegation Meets WCD Minister
New Delhi, August 6, 2025: A high-level delegation of the All India Federation of Anganwadi Workers and Helpers (AIFAWH) met with Smt. Annpurna Devi, Union Minister for Women and Child Development, today at Shastri Bhawan. The meeting aimed to press for urgent action on critical demands, including higher wages, robust social security provisions, and the immediate withdrawal of the mandatory Facial Recognition System (FRS).
The delegation, led by A R Sindhu, General Secretary of AIFAWH, included Anju Maini (Treasurer), Urmila Rawat (Secretary), and Amritpal Kaur (Working Committee Member). They were accompanied by Dr. John Brittas, Member of Parliament (CPI-M), who advocated strongly for the Anganwadi workers' rights. Shri Gyanesh Bharti, Additional Secretary, Ministry of WCD, was also present during the 45-minute discussion. This significant meeting underscores the ongoing efforts by AIFAWH to advocate for the rights and welfare of Anganwadi workers and helpers, who form the backbone of the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme across the nation. The discussions highlighted not only the long-standing demands but also immediate concerns impacting the daily lives and work of these frontline workers. Read More
Key Demands Raised by AIFAWH
AIFAWH presented a comprehensive set of demands to the Minister:
- Doubling of Honorarium: Demanded before October 2, 2025, marking the 50th anniversary of ICDS, aligning with Parliamentary Committee recommendations.
- Minimum Wages & Pension: Called for a minimum monthly wage of ₹26,000 and a pension of ₹10,000 to be implemented in the upcoming Union Budget.
- Gratuity Implementation: Urged immediate implementation of the Supreme Court’s directive on gratuity benefits for all anganwadi employees.
- Withdrawal of FRS & Poshan Tracker: Strongly demanded the withdrawal of mandatory Facial Recognition System (FRS) and Poshan Tracker apps, citing operational challenges, data privacy concerns, and psychological distress.
- Regularisation of Services: Advocated for the regularisation of anganwadi workers and helpers as per the Gujarat High Court verdict, urging the Centre not to oppose the ruling.
- Wage Parity & Increments: Demanded fair wage parity for anganwadi helpers, annual increments, and recognition of service weightage.
- End Non-ICDS Duties & Uniform Rules: Called for an end to non-ICDS duties (like BLO assignments) and the establishment of uniform service rules for promotion and career progression.
The delegation also submitted a detailed memorandum highlighting the practical difficulties and stress-related issues faced by workers due to the FRS and mobile apps, including instances of eligible beneficiaries being denied services. These issues underscore the urgent need for policy changes that genuinely support the Anganwadi workforce, ensuring their dignity and effective service delivery. The current digital mandates, while intended for efficiency, have reportedly created significant burdens and unintended consequences for workers on the ground. Read More
Government's Assurances & Future Steps
Minister Annpurna Devi acknowledged the concerns raised and provided the following assurances:
- Gratuity Order Implementation: Committed to taking measures for the implementation of the Supreme Court order on gratuity.
- Wage Enhancement Consideration: Assured that the demand for an increase in remuneration would be considered.
- Anomalies Resolution: Stated that all anomalies related to promotion and recruitment rules would be sorted out at the earliest.
- Meeting with Trade Unions: Confirmed that a meeting with all central trade union federations representing anganwadi workers would be convened soon.
- FRS Issues Resolution: Assured that problems with the FRS system will be addressed, especially for workers facing operational barriers.
AIFAWH proposed a tripartite dialogue involving the Central Government, State Governments, and all anganwadi federations to find lasting solutions. The federation also expressed gratitude to Dr. John Brittas, MP, for his crucial role in facilitating the dialogue.
Nationwide Protest Announced: AIFAWH has called for a nationwide Black Day on 21st August 2025 to protest against the mandatory FRS and demand comprehensive reforms for overburdened and underpaid anganwadi workers. This upcoming protest signals the federation's resolve to intensify its struggle if their demands are not met, highlighting the critical nature of these issues for the Anganwadi community. The "Black Day" aims to draw national attention to their plight and push for concrete governmental action. Read More
A R Sindhu
General Secretary, AIFAWH
Insights: Demands & Protests
Key Demands Status
Illustrative data based on meeting outcomes.
Projected Black Day Participation (Aug 21, 2025)
Hypothetical distribution for the upcoming protest.
