Anganwadi workers stage Black Day protest in Nazira, demand regularisation and fair wages

NAZIRA, July 10, 2026 — Anganwadi workers and helpers staged a "Black Day" protest in Nazira on Friday, joining a statewide agitation to press for regularisation of their services, fair wages and resolution of long-pending grievances.

Responding to a nationwide call by the All India Anganwadi Workers and Helpers Federation, the Assam State Anganwadi Workers and Helpers Association, along with the Nazira Project Committee, organised the protest in front of the Co-District Magistrate's Court.

Anganwadi workers and helpers, who work at the grassroots level under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), said they play a vital role in providing nutrition, healthcare and early childhood services to children and pregnant women, yet continue to be treated as honorary workers rather than regular government employees.

The protesters reiterated their longstanding demand for regular government employee status and payment of wages instead of honorariums. They also alleged that several helper posts remain vacant and that many qualified helpers have been performing the duties of workers without being promoted.

The association further raised concerns over the implementation of the Take Home Ration (THR) scheme. It said mandatory facial recognition system (FRS) verification and Aadhaar-linked OTP authentication for every ration distribution have created hardships for beneficiaries, including pregnant women, lactating mothers and children aged between six months and three years.

According to the protesters, the dual verification process has resulted in many eligible beneficiaries being excluded from the list, affecting the distribution of essential nutrition and making it increasingly difficult for Anganwadi workers to carry out their responsibilities.

Following the demonstration, the protesters submitted a memorandum to the Director of the Women and Child Development Department, Government of Assam, through the Nazira Child Development Project Officer.

The memorandum, signed by Nazira Project Committee president Jonmoni Tamuli and secretary Karabi Bordoloi, contained an eight-point charter of demands. Among the key demands were recognition of Anganwadi workers and helpers as regular government employees with proper wages, immediate withdrawal of mandatory facial recognition verification, promotion of qualified helpers to vacant worker posts, filling 50 per cent of supervisor posts through promotion of existing workers, one-time financial assistance for retired workers and helpers, and construction of scientifically designed Anganwadi centres with improved infrastructure.

The protesters urged the government to address their demands without delay.

Photo caption: Anganwadi workers and helpers observe "Black Day" and stage a protest in front of the Co-District Magistrate's Court in Nazira on Friday.