Tarun Karthick
Sri Vijaya Puram, 23 August 2025
Responding to a nationwide call by the All India Federation of Anganwadi Workers & Helpers, Anganwadi workers and helpers across the Andaman & Nicobar Islands observed “Black Day” on August 21, 2025, to press for resolution of their long-pending demands.
As part of the protest, members of the Andaman & Nicobar Anganwadi Workers & Helpers Union (CITU) wore black badges while attending duty in Anganwadi Centres throughout the islands.
A delegation comprising Ms. Geeta Devi, President, and Mr. R. Anbukkarsi, General Secretary, submitted a memorandum addressed to the Union Minister for Women & Child Development to the Secretary (Social Welfare), A&N Administration. The Union leaders also held detailed discussions with the Secretary on the issues highlighted in the memorandum.
The demands raised include:
1. Immediate withdrawal of the mandatory Face Recognition System (FRS) authentication.
2. Provision of computers, laptops, or tablets to all Anganwadi Centres before digitizing the reporting system, and in the interim, supply of quality mobile phones with 4G/5G connectivity.
3. Free Wi-Fi connections in Anganwadi Centres.
4. Supply of quality supplementary nutrition to all beneficiaries, irrespective of Aadhaar verification or face recognition, in line with Supreme Court orders.
5. Urgent convening of a tripartite meeting with all Anganwadi Federations to discuss issues related to the POSHAN Tracker App, including alleged manipulation of data.
Union representatives reiterated that the protest was aimed at ensuring better facilities for Anganwadi workers and helpers as well as improved services for beneficiaries.
