"The Anganwadi workers in Maharashtra are on strike since 12th September 2017. The state authorities have directed the Asha workers to now to take over the Anganwadi duties. One of the leading trade unions has refused. At the district level, official orders have been sent to identify and send names of non co-operating Ashas. This has resulted in tremendous stress among the Ashas. It is very damaging to pitch one village health worker against the other in this manner. It is also not correct because Ashas are designated as volunteers and are not government employees. If the children covered by Anganwadis must be fed, then the full time government employees can be deployed for the task. How can voluntary workers like Ashas be compelled? We now know that the infant mortality rate has declined by 8% from 2016. Please see https://scroll.in/pulse/852549/infant-mortality-rate-drops-8-in-2016-goa-registers-least-deaths. and https://scroll.in/pulse/851369/india-has-prevented-one-million-child-deaths-due-to-disease-since-2005-more-needs-to-be-done At the community level, it is the Anganwadi workers and Ashas that have been the leading change agents for this achievement. If the government enters into a meaningful and respectful dialogue with both these CHVs, and acknowledges their achievements, it will go a long way into strengthening these very essential sections of the public health care system.".
