Gadchiroli Sept. 30 (District Correspondent) A rally of Asha Workers and Group Promoters was organized by AITUC at Lawns here the other day.
The rally was inaugurated at the hands of Mr. Shyam Kale, State Secretary of AITUC. Communist Party of India leader Dr. Mahesh Kopulwar presided. Asha Group Promoters Association National President Mangala Pandey, State President Raju Desle, Dr. Shilu Chimurkar, Ms. Madhuri Madavi, Adv. Vishwajit Kowase, Manohar Patil Poretti, Meenakshi Selokar, Devrao Chawade, Adv. Jagdish Meshram, Sanjay Wakde etc were prominently present.
Shyam Kale reviewed the group promoter struggle. AITUC has been struggling since 2009. It is the first organization in this country which has one and a half crore members including Asha workers and group promoters. You are connected to this organization. AITUC has been fighting for country’s labourers, employees.
Mr. Desle said Asha and Group promoters took to the streets and protested throughout the year. They faced heat, wind, rain. The AITUC and Action Committee have won after 3 months of strike. However, the health minister had given a written assurance that Asha workers will be given Rs. 7,000 and group promoters Rs 10,000 increase and Diwali bonus grant and also contract staff status to group promoters. But it was not fully implemented. The AITUC will continue to fight for this, he declared.
Dr Mahesh Kopoolwar congratulated the Asha and group promoters. In the next period, Asha group promoters should intensify their fight for minimum wage and pension. He appealed to strengthen the farmer and labour movement.
Mangal Pandey declared to hold a strong protest in Delhi shortly. Dr. Chimurkar said Asha workers are doing very good work. They should be given government employee status, she demanded and assured to always join fight. The other leaders also expressed their thoughts.
Co. Vinod Zodge gave an introductory speech. Ms. Sarita Naitam, Vidyadevi Yejulwar, Sonali Thackere, Kavita Darwade, Sangeeta Meshram, Kiran Gedam, Hema Mohurle, Rajni Gedam worked tirelessly to make the gathering a success.
Thousands of Asha workers and group promoters from all over the district attended the rally.
