MESMA justified against Maha Anganwadi stir, says Munde

Women and Child Welfare Minister Pankaja Munde told the Legislative Assembly today that the state government was justified in invoking the Maharashtra Essential Services Maintenance Act against a proposed strike by Anganwadi workers.

She said that Anganwadiservices were essential for small children and that is why it was covered under MESMA.

The minister said the state government had given an affidavit in the Bombay High Court assuring it about bringing these services under MESMA.

"Hence, it was not possible for the government to revoke the decision," she said.

The clarification came after members, cutting across party lines, objected to the decision to invoke MESMA.

The Anganwadi Kruti Samiti has anounced a stir from March 27 demanding a rise in their honorarium and retaining the retirement age at 65 years.

Munde said that the honorarium had already been raised and the decision to reduce the retirement age to 60 years had been revoked.