Anganwadi workers in Andhra Pradesh who had been on strike for 42 days called it off on Tuesday morning after reaching an agreement with the state government. The strike was called off after the government agreed to address 10 of the workers’ 11 demands. This came days after new state Congress president Y S Sharmila, the sister of Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy, talked about meeting the striking workers, and other Opposition parties targeted the government over its response to the workers’ demands.

Anganwadi Workers’ Union President G Rani on Tuesday said, “They (government) have assured us that they will implement our demands and we are satisfied with their assurance.”

* Implement salary increments scheduled for July next year, in line with a mutual agreement

* Provide life insurance coverage, including a Rs 2-lakh accident insurance policy, to Anganwadi workers and helpers starting this year

* Increase age limit for the appointment of Anganwadi assistants from 45 years to 50 years

* Pay Anganwadi workers Travel Allowance (TA) and Dearness Allowance (DA) on a monthly and bi-monthly basis, respectively

* Set the upper age limit for the continued service of Anganwadi workers and helpers at 62 years

* Approved end-of-service benefits, providing Rs 1 lakh to Anganwadi workers and Rs 40,000 to helpers after they turn 62 years

* Sanctioned Rs. 66.54-crore fund for Anganwadi centres in rented buildings

* Allocate Rs. 7.81 crore for 55,607 centres to address sanitation requirements

* Release Rs. 6.36 crores for 21,206 centres at a rate of Rs 3,000 per centre to cover maintenance expenses, including painting walls and minor repairs

The YSRCP initially took a tough stand against the Anganwadi workers but softened up due to the changing political scenario in the state. While the TDP and the JSP have teamed up to take it on, the Congress has appointed Y S Sharmila to head the state unit, shaking up state politics.

In her first speech after taking over the state Congress, Sharmila took aim at her brother, criticising him for, among other things, “lack of development and rising unemployment”. She said she would also meet the Anganwadi workers. The YSRCP government moved in quickly to subdue the fire, reopening talks with the Unions and resolving the matter overnight. The government held talks with All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) general secretary G Obulesu, International Federation of Trade Unions state secretary K Polari, and G Rani, among others.

Telugu Desam Party (TDP) chief N Chandrababu Naidu had been criticising Jagan Mohan Reddy for not heeding the requests of the Anganwadi workers, saying that the CM’s “ego left no room for negotiations” with the striking workers.

Both Naidu and Jana Sena Party (JSP) chief K Pawan Kalyan spoke out in favour of the Anganwadi workers. Kalyan said how the government had handled the situation was undemocratic. “Threatening them and terminating their jobs is not how you deal with workers. It is an undemocratic approach,’’ Kalyan said.

TDP national general secretary Nara Lokesh Naidu alleged that the Anganwadi workers were being threatened with termination of jobs to fall in line and end the strike.

The Opposition parties have not reacted since the strike was called off.

State Education Minister Botcha Satyanarayana said the government had agreed to meet 10 of the workers’ demands after “resolute negotiation and open communication” and thanked them for not getting “incited” by the Opposition parties.

”It is commendable that the Anganwadi workers also refused to politicise their strike and thwarted efforts by TDP and JSP to incite them,” the minister said. “The Anganwadi union leaders remained united and rejected the false incitement by Opposition parties and have ended their strike peacefully.”

Government advisor Sajjala Ramakrishna Reddy said, “Opposition parties have been trying to incite Anganwadis and spread false propaganda throughout the strike. The government has consistently demonstrated empathy and a commitment that has been extended beyond merely meeting demands, as it actively maintained communication with the Anganwadis throughout the strike. This cooperative stance was reciprocated by Anganwadis who, in due course, acknowledged the attempts made by the opposition parties to politicize the strike and understood the government’s perspective.”