Anganwadi workers and helpers across Odisha protested outside the State Assembly in Bhubaneswar to strongly oppose the government’s policy of reviewing and dismissing workers over 55 years of age.
Organised under the banner of the All Odisha Anganwadi Workers Association, affiliated with AITUC, protesters marched from Master Canteen Square, raising anti-government slogans.
The outrage stems from a recent Women and Child Development Department letter (No. 21351) issued on August 3, which revived a 2007 guideline. Under this rule, workers aged 55 and above face performance evaluations, and any perceived shortcomings in pre-school education, Poson Tracker, or digital platform management can lead to termination before they reach the retirement age of 62.
The union slammed the directive as “undemocratic and inhumane”.
Protesters also voiced deep frustration over technical glitches in the Poson Tracker and Facial Recognition System (FRS) apps. Attendance tracking failures have led to months of frozen salaries for numerous projects, prompting demands to halt mandatory digital rules and release withheld pay.
Additionally, leaders highlighted unfulfilled pre-election promises of allowance hikes, pointing out that saree allowances have been neglected for four years since 2022–23.
Led by key figures including Working President Bijay Jena and General Secretary Harapriya Swain, the association warned that the agitation will be intensified if the government fails to immediately withdraw the controversial dismissal order.
