Controversy continued in the house

Mumbai: The controversy of the inclusion of Aanganwadi workers in Maharashtra Essential Services Maintenance Act (MESMA) played out the whole day in the legislative council.

The Shiv Sena members raised the issue in the house after which the revenue minister Chandrakant Patil supported the government’s decision which in turn kicked off a ruckus in the house with the opposition members After three adjournments, the house finally got adjourned for the day.

Shiv Sena’s Anil Parab raised the issue in the house on Tuesday. He said, “The aanganwadi workers are not state government employees. Applying MESMA on them would be illegal. Also these 2,00,000 workers are raising genuine issues. Their salaries are very less when compared to other states. In such a case, bringing them under MESMA would not be right on part of the government.”

But leader of the house Chandrakant Patil defended the government’s decision. “They are denied right of strike by MESMA. But their other rights, which include protesting, are not affected. This decision is taken in consideration of lakhs of children as these workers deals with them,” said Mr Patil.

The opposition leader objected to the reply and called it insensitive. “Since the government has failed to keep its word on the hike, they have no other option than going on strike.” said Mr Munde.