AGP demands minister's resignation over appointment 'anomalies'

Guwahati, July 17 (UNI) Alleging that there were irregularities in the Anganwadi worker/helper appointments, the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) today demanded the resignation of the Asom social welfare minister.

Addressing a press conference here, AGP vice-president Kamala Kalita lashed out at the social welfare department for alleged anomalies in the appointment of the worker and helpers in the Anganwadi center.

''The appointments, the list of which was published yesterday, have been made irregularly. The appointees does not possess the mandatory norms as required by the department,'' he said.

Mr Kalita alleged that in many cases workers and helpers have been appointed at the Anganwadi Centers from far flung places despite a mandatory norm that the appointee should be a local and should be acceptable to the villagers.

''In many cases, the appointees are from villages about 4 to 5 km away. Moreover, most of them do not possess the required educational norm, that is matriculation. There has been gross violation in the appointments,'' he said.

The AGP vice-president, who was also flanked by other senior leaders of the party, sniffed huge financial transaction amounting to Rs 50,000 per candidate has taken place for the appointments.

''It is shameful that for a petty job like this where the salary is a mere Rs 500 to 1000, one has to pay bribes up to Rs 50,000- 60,000,'' he said.

Referring to a few individual cases, Mr Kalita also alleged that even though widows should be preferred for the jobs, in many cases such ladies were being deprived and those having connection with the Congress were being given the appointments.

Demanding a stay on the appointments, the AGP said despite their reminder to the minister concerned regarding the anomalies in the appointments, there has been no action so far.

''The appointments has created a resentment among the public. The minister should quit,'' the AGP demanded.

UNI