Responding to the call from the Federation of UT EmployeesUT Employees and Workers in Chandigarh, a protest rally and demonstration took place in front of Sector 17’s Social Welfare Department office on Wednesday.
The protest was against the alleged forced reduction of salaries for over 125 Balsevaks and helpers in various crèches under the Indian Child Welfare Council, equalising them with the wages of Anganwadi workers and helpers. Numerous employees from organisations such as Electricity, Water, Horticulture, PWD Road, ICCW, MC Electrical, MC Mani Majra, GM SH Sector 16, Smart City, UT, and MC Pensioners Association participated in the rally.
The event, chaired by Federation President Raghbir Chand, featured addresses by various speakers, including Rajinder Katoch, Rekha Sharma, Dhyan Singh, Harkesh Chand, Surinder Singh, Naseeb Singh, Thoplan, and Gurmeet Singh. Allegations were made by the General Secretary of the Federation, Gopal Dutt Joshi, Joint Secretary Bihari Lal, M Subramaniam, M Rajendran, Amrik Singh, Ranjit Singh, Harpal Singh, Prem Pal, Sunita Sharma, Rekha Gora, Tarun Jaiswal, Sukhwinder Singh, and others during the rally.
The accusations include a conspiracy by the administration to eliminate crèches under the guise of updating Anganwadi and undermining the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao initiative. There are also allegations of embezzlement of property valued at crores belonging to the Indian Child Welfare Council and misappropriation of around Rs 7½-8 crore. Despite having substantial funds in fixed deposits and current accounts, employee salaries have reportedly been equated with those of Anganwadi workers without obtaining their consent. It has been revealed that the salary was borrowed from MCBC Corporation due to the council’s lack of funds.
The protest raised concerns about the reduced salary for crèche workers, termed as the Palana Scheme, equating it with that of Anganwadi workers.
