Fri May 02 09:51:11 UTC 2025: ## Tamil Nadu Anganwadi Workers Protest Disrupts Child Nutrition Program

**Chennai, May 2, 2025** – The distribution of supplementary nutrition to children in parts of Tamil Nadu was disrupted on Friday as Anganwadi workers and assistants staged a sit-in protest demanding a full month of May off. The protest, organized by the Anganwadi Workers and Assistants Association, prompted a strong response from Social Welfare and Women Empowerment Minister P. Geetha Jeevan, who warned of legal and disciplinary action against the participants.

Minister Jeevan stated that the protest, launched without prior warning, is unacceptable, particularly given its impact on the delivery of crucial supplementary nutrition, including lunch and eggs, to children. She emphasized that the state government has already addressed many of the workers’ demands, including promotions, transfers, and filling vacancies.

While a 15-day vacation between May 11th and 25th was already announced last month due to the prevailing weather conditions, the Minister characterized the current protest as illegal. The National Food Security Act, 2013 mandates the provision of supplementary nutrition for at least 300 days a year, a mandate the government has met through the provision of “Take Home Ration” in previous years. The government has declared a summer vacation for Anganwadi workers in May for the past three years.

The government is currently assessing the extent of the disruption caused by the protest and will take action against those involved.

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