Hundreds of Anganwadi staff and helpers in Visakhapatnam staged a march from Jagadamba Junction to the Collector’s office, demanding a minimum wage of ₹26,000 and the removal of the Nava Chetana app. They accused the ruling party of reneging on a pre‑election promise made two years ago.
मुख्य बिंदु (Key Takeaways)
- Visakhapatnam Anganwadi workers demand a minimum wage of ₹26,000.
- They call for the scrapping of the Nava Chetana mobile application.
- State and central governments have not revised wages for seven years despite rising inflation.
Visakhapatnam, July 10, 2026 — Dressed in black saris and bearing red CITU flags, several hundred Anganwadi workers and helpers began a protest march from Jagadamba Junction toward the Collectorate on Friday. Holding placards that read “₹26,000 Minimum Wage” and “Abolish Nava Chetana App,” they chanted slogans that reverberated through the city’s main arteries.
Background and Historical Context
The Anganwadi system, launched in 1975, forms the backbone of India’s rural health, nutrition, and early childhood care. Predominantly staffed by women, Anganwadi workers oversee child nutrition, prenatal care, and maternal health. Yet their remuneration has stagnated at the 2016‑set rate of ₹7,000, while inflation and workload have surged. In the 2024 state elections, the ruling party pledged a wage hike, a promise that remains unfulfilled two years into its tenure.
Key Demands of the Protest
The rally passed through the Clock Tower area and King George Hospital (KGH) before converging at the Collector’s office, drawing participants from across the district. CITU district secretary R.K.S.V. Kumar accused the government of granting multibillion‑rupee concessions to large corporations while ignoring the wage grievances of Anganwadi staff. He recalled that during a 42‑day strike under the previous administration, leaders visited protest camps and assured a wage increase—an assurance that, according to him, remains unmet.
Political and Economic Implications
Anganwadi workers are pivotal to the implementation of state‑run welfare schemes; their discontent threatens to disrupt service delivery in rural health and nutrition. The introduction of new digital tools such as the Nava Chetana app, without corresponding salary adjustments or adequate training, has further strained workers. If the government fails to address these concerns promptly, the quality of frontline health services could deteriorate, eroding public confidence.
Next Steps
With the Collector and Joint Collector unavailable, the protesters submitted a memorandum to District Revenue Officer Visweswara Naidu. CITU pledged continued support, stating that the agitation will persist until an official wage revision is announced.
