Rally of ICDS Union in West Bengal
On 9th April 2010 a mammoth rally was organized by Paschim Banga Rajya ICDS Karmi Samity at Netaji Indoor Stadium, Kolkata. Anganwadi workers and helpers from all districts participated enthusiastically.
The rally was organized demanding no privatisation of ICDS Scheme, to recognise the workers as permanent employees, introduction of pension for the workers and helpers and to bring down the prices of essential commodities and against the Trinamool Maoist violence against the left.
Tapan Sen M P, General Secretary, CITU, congratulated the union and called upon them to strengthen the union to fight the policies of the Central government. He also requested them to make the Mahapadav of the anganwadi employees on 4th May 2010 a great success. Kali Ghosh and Shyamal Chakraborty, General Secretary and President of West Bengal statecommittee of CITU and Shyamali Gupta, President of State AIDWA also addressed the gathering.
Ashim Das Gupta, WB State Finance Minister, appreciated the services rendered by the anganwadi workers and helpers in bringing down the maternal mortality, child mortality and school drop out rates. He said that the anganwadi employees need a real salute and that is why the state government has increased their honorarium by Rs.500 with effect from 1 April 2010. Ratna Dutta, State General Secretary of the union, narrated the difficulties faced by the employees including the attacks by the local Trinamool goons.
Arati Dasgupta Secretary CITU, presided. Three fourths of the Netaji Indoor Stadium was filled by anganwadi workers and helpers. Working women from some other industries also participated in the rally.