By Agartala Correspondent | Tripura 24.in AGARTALA | May 3, 2026
AGARTALA: Thousands of ICDS workers and helpers took to the streets of Agartala today, staging a massive ‘Gana Abhashthan’ (Mass Sit-In) at the Paradise Chowmuhani to press for an urgent 8-point charter of demands. Organized by the Tripura Anganwadi Workers and Helpers Union, the demonstration paralyzed the heart of the capital for several hours as protesters raised slogans against the long-standing neglect of frontline childcare workers.
The central focus of the protest was the immediate implementation of Gratuity benefits, following a landmark High Court ruling that favored the workers’ status as employees entitled to retirement benefits.
The 8-Point Charter of Demands
The union leadership, headed by senior labor activists, presented a comprehensive list of grievances that they claim the state government has consistently ignored despite multiple memorandums.
Key Demands Include:
- Regularization of Service: Transitioning from “honorarium-based” engagement to permanent government employee status.
- Implementation of Gratuity: Immediate payout of gratuity for retired and serving workers as per the recent judicial directives.
- Revised Minimum Wage: A demand for a monthly salary of ₹41,000 for Workers and ₹35,000 for Helpers.
- Pension Security: Provision of a stable monthly pension to ensure dignity after the age of superannuation.
- SNP Bill Clearance: Swift disbursement of pending Supplementary Nutrition Programme (SNP) bills to ensure centers can provide quality meals to children.
- Infrastructure Support: Proper supply of essential resources, including durable storage containers and cooking fuel.
- No Closure of Centers: A strong protest against the merging or closing of smaller Anganwadi centers in remote areas.
- Dearness Allowance (DA): Restoration of DA benefits which the union claims have been halted since 2017.
“Frontline Heroes, Paltry Honorarium”: Union Leaders
Speaking at the protest site, several leaders highlighted the irony of the state relying on Anganwadi workers for every major health and census survey while paying them a “paltry sum” that does not match the current cost of living.
”The High Court has clearly stated that the state cannot take advantage of its own wrong. We have served for 20–30 years, often using our own money to keep centers running when SNP bills are delayed. Today, we are not asking for a gift; we are asking for our legal rights—including the gratuity that the courts have already upheld,” a senior union spokesperson stated.
Legal Backdrop and Pressure on Government
The protest gains significance following recent proceedings in the Tripura High Court, where a Division Bench dismissed the state’s appeal and ordered the reinstatement of several disengaged workers with full back-pay. The legal victories have emboldened the workers to intensify their stir, with the union warning of a statewide “work-to-rule” strike if the 8-point demands are not addressed before the end of May.
As the evening set in, the ‘Gana Abhashthan’ at Paradise Chowmuhani concluded with the submission of a fresh memorandum to the Director of Social Welfare and Social Education. However, the workers vowed that their “battle for bread and dignity” would continue in every subdivision of Tripura.
