People's Democracy

‘Regularise ICDS’

National Workshop Organised

A National Workshop on Regularisation of Integrated Child Development Services scheme (ICDS) was organised by the Samyukta Sangharsh Samiti (SSS) of Anganwadi Workers and Helpers in B T Ranadive Bhawan in New Delhi on August 21. Besides the organisations of anganwadi workers and helpers affiliated to CITU, AITU, HMS, HMKP and NFTU, central trade union organisations, women’s organisations, NGOs like-minded forces, and eminent economist Jayati Ghosh participated in the workshop.

The workshop welcomed the order of the Supreme Court on universalisation of ICDS and demanded its immediate implementation. The participants noted that the services provided by the ICDS are essential for the healthy development of children, who are the future of our country. Anganwadi workers and helpers also play a very important role in raising social awareness among the community including dalits and women.

Considering the importance of ICDS in developing a healthy body and mind for the child, which is the right of every child in the country, the workshop demanded that ICDS should be regularised as an integral part of the Women and Child Development department and the anganwadi centres should be run full day. It also demanded that anganwadi workers and helpers who are the key functionaries in the successful implementation of ICDS should be regularised as Grade III and Grade IV employees of the government.

The workshop called upon the unions of anganwadi workers and helpers, the central trade unions and women’s organisations to work together for the regularisation of ICDS and organise joint campaigns on the issue.

The SSS decided to participate in the all India general strike on September 29, 2005 with the demand of regularisation of ICDS. It has also decided to organise a national convention in Delhi during the winter session of parliament.  The convention will give a call for a massive mobilisation of anganwadi workers and helpers in the national capital on the issue of regularisation of ICDS. (INN)