AP government invokes ESMA Act against agitating Anganwadi workers

Hyderabad: The state government of Andhra Pradesh on Saturday decided to invoke the AP Maintenance and Essential Services Act (ESMA) of 1971 against Anganwadi workers. Anganwadi workers have been agitating for the past few days demanding that the YSRCP-led state government address their concerns, including pay hike, satisfaction and raising the retirement age to 62 years at par with other government departments. That is, the state government gives only Rs 11,500 to the workers and Rs 7,000 to the assistants, while it is demanding a monthly salary of Rs 26,000 for all the workers.