Harish Rao condemns arrest of Anganwadi staff, demands for their immediate release

BRS MLA T Harish Rao condemned the arrest of Anganwadi staff protesting in Hyderabad for the Congress government’s unfulfilled promises. He criticised Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy for failing to deliver salary hikes and benefits promised under the Abhayahastam Declaration

Hyderabad: Former Minister and BRS MLA T Harish Rao condemned the police excess against Anganwadi staff who staged a “Chalo Secretariat” protest seeking fulfilment of the Congress government’s promises. He demanded their immediate release and urged the government to honour the commitments made to the women employees in the Congress election manifesto.

“It is shameful that Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, who promised to make women millionaires, is now getting Anganwadi teachers arrested across the State. Is this the respect given to women in Indiramma Rajyam?” he asked, stating that the Chief Minister was depriving women employees of the joy of the Bathukamma festival.

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Recalling BRS initiatives, Harish Rao said former Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao upgraded the status of Anganwadi staff from workers to teachers and increased their salaries to the highest in the country, which is Rs 13,650 for teachers and Rs 7,800 each for mini teachers and helpers, against just Rs 4,200 and Rs 2,200 in 2014.

He said the Congress had promised Rs 18,000 salary, EPF benefits and job security to Anganwadi teachers under the Abhayahastam Declaration, but failed to act even after 22 months in power. “Anganwadi teachers travelled in free buses under the Mahalakshmi scheme of the Congress government to reach the State Secretariat and staged protests, but they were arrested and taken to police stations. This exposes the government’s real agenda,” he said.