Wed Jul 16 03:19:54 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summarized news article based on the provided text:

**Headline: Anganwadi Workers Protest in Kolkata Over Unpaid Dues and Lack of Resources**

**Kolkata, July 16, 2025** – Anganwadi workers in Kolkata staged protest rallies on July 15, 2025, demanding increased budget allocation, job security, and permanent employment months after the West Bengal government’s budget declarations. The protests, led by the West Bengal Anganwadi Workers and Helpers Union and the All India United Trade Union Centre (AIUTUC), saw workers filing deputations with the Governor, the State Secretariat (addressing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee), and the Child Welfare Department.

The workers, responsible for improving the nutrition and health of children and mothers, are protesting the lack of implementation of promised budget allocations, particularly regarding the provision of smartphones to aid in their increasingly digitized work. Workers claim that promised resources have not been delivered and that they are only receiving ₹167 for mobile recharge.

Protest leaders like Arifa Begum, an ICDS worker from Murshidabad, emphasized the inadequacy of the current provisions, warning that both mothers and children will suffer if the basic needs of the workers are not met. The workers are also demanding permanent job roles with fixed salaries, life insurance, and pension schemes.

Nanda Patra, a leader of AIUTUC, highlighted the need for life insurance and a pension scheme for the workers.

While the state budget had allocated ₹200 crore for smartphones for ASHA and Anganwadi workers in February, the workers report they have seen no benefits from this allocation. This situation mirrors a broader national issue, where Anganwadi and ASHA workers often lack permanent employment status and benefits, receiving only contractual payments or honorariums, leading to frequent protests. Union Secretary Madhavi Pandit stated that the workers will go on a larger strike in the coming days if their demands are not met through the peaceful protest deputation.

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