Agartala, 3rd May 2026: Former Minister and CITU State Committee President Manik Dey today alleged that since the formation of the current government, Anganwadi workers and helpers have been treated as a “ready source” for government-related duties.
Today, the Tripura Anganwadi Workers and Helpers Union organized a public sit-in at the Paradise Chowmuhani area in Agartala city on Sunday, demanding an eight-point charter of demands related to their welfare.
The demands of the Tripura State Committee of the Anganwadi Workers and Helpers Union include regularization of all Anganwadi workers and helpers, payment of a minimum monthly wage of ₹41,000 for workers and ₹35,000 for helpers, payment of gratuity and pension benefits, and regular reimbursement of mobile bills, among others. The sit-in was led by CITU State Committee President Manik Dey.
He said that there are more than twenty thousand Anganwadi workers and helpers in Tripura.
“Since the formation of the current government, it has been observed that Anganwadi workers and helpers are being used as a ready resource for government activities. Ministers and MLAs require them to perform duties wherever they go, and even the cost of vehicle rentals for attending such events has to be borne by the Anganwadi workers and helpers themselves. If they fail to fulfill these responsibilities, incidents such as salary deprivation and even dismissal from service are taking place. Not only that, but at various times, while performing their duties, local leaders misbehave with them. If the ruling party had even a minimum level of respect for them, such disrespectful treatment would not have occurred. However, the government is not increasing their wages,” Dey said.
He further stated that during the Left Front government, whenever dearness allowance (DA) was announced, their wages were regularly increased. “They were also given bonuses during Durga Puja. Currently, they are deprived of these benefits. However, in many other states across the country, their wages are being increased. Only in Tripura are they being deprived,” he said.
He also mentioned that the High Court has given a verdict in favour of the demands of Anganwadi workers and helpers, but the government has not implemented it. “In this situation, they are compelled to take to the streets,” he added.
At the same time, he criticized the government on women-related issues, saying that the extent of mistreatment of women under this government is becoming evident through the conditions faced by Anganwadi workers and helpers.
