Mounesh Vishwakarma

Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal

Bantwal, Jul 3: The Bantwal taluk Anganwadi Workers and Helpers Association (R) has demanded that Anganwadi workers be either appointed as Group ‘C’ employees or exempted from election-related duties such as those of Booth Level Officers (BLOs).

Addressing a press conference at the Press Club in B C Road, association president Vijayavani Shetty said, “ASHA workers have been exempted from BLO responsibilities, but Anganwadi workers are still being pressured. Why this double standard?”

She pointed out that although the government has recently directed that only Group 'C' employees should be appointed as BLOs, revenue officials are assigning the responsibility to Anganwadi workers, who only receive an honorarium and are not regular government staff. “If the government wants us to perform BLO duties, then we should also be officially classified as Group ‘C’ employees,” she demanded.

She further said that Anganwadi workers are already burdened with numerous duties, and assigning BLO responsibilities adds to the stress. “There are technical issues like server failures and additional challenges with the Poshan Tracker system,” she added.

Honorary president Yamuna, district treasurer Renuka, district vice president Gulabi, taluk secretary Jayashree, and vice president Vani were also present at the press meet.