Maha govt backtracks on essential services Act

Owing to pressure from anganwadi workers, Shiv Sena and the Opposition, the state government on Thursday has revoked it decision to impose the Maharashtra Essential Services and Maintenance Act (MESMA) on anganwadi workers.

Shiv Sena had disrupted the proceedings of the Assembly on Wednesday, demanding the withdrawal of MESMA on anganwadi workers. CM Devendra Fadnavis announced the decision in the state assembly. Fadnavis stated that anganwadi workers were brought under the purview of MESMA to prevent them from going on strike.

Employees of services under MESMA can be taken into detention by authorities, and the offences registered under the act are non-bailable.

Last year, the anganwadi workers were on a strike for around 26 days. During this period, more than 100 infants had died due to malnutrition and improper care in anganwadis across the state. The state government had come under severe criticism both, by the judiciary and the political parties for being negligent. The Bombay high court questioned the government for keeping the anganwadi services out of essential services.

The anganwadi workers run the Centre’s Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS), which battles malnutrition among young children and pregnant and lactating women. The state has around 2 lakh such workers working at 97,000 anganwadis.

MUMBAI: