Patna (Bihar) [India], March 7: Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav visited Gardanibagh in Patna on Friday to show his support to the protestors demanding their rights. Yadav promised to raise their issues in the ongoing Bihar legislative budget session.
While addressing the crowd, Yadav accused Chief Minister Nitish Kumar of being in an “unconscious state” and claimed that the current government was failing to meet the needs of the people. “Unless this government remains in power, you will not get your rights,” he said, emphasizing that the solution lies in changing the government.
Yadav, the Leader of Opposition in the Bihar Legislative Assembly, also accused the Bihar government of exploiting workers, particularly women workers employed in the Anganwadi and ASHA sectors. He highlighted that these workers were being paid as little as Rs 1,600 per month, which he claimed was insufficient given the current inflation. He stated that when his party forms the government, they will ensure justice for these workers.
“The government is exploiting women, cooks, self-help groups, Anganwadi, and ASHA sisters. Only Rs 1,600 per month. What will this do for them in this era of inflation? They are not even able to pay the minimum wage,” Yadav added.
The protestors, including members of the mid-day meal workers’ association, are demanding an increase in honorarium to Rs 15,000, as per a resolution passed by the General Administration Department (GAD). They also want cooks to be granted the status of government employees. Additionally, the Bihar Home Guard Corps has been protesting for equal pay for equal work, and BPSC candidates have been demanding re-examination for the 70th Bihar Public Service Commission prelims.
Yadav has been critical of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar in recent days. On Thursday, he expressed that the youth of Bihar no longer want a “75-year-old CM.” He also took aim at the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in Bihar, calling it an alliance of “tired, retired leaders and officials,” while claiming that the current government is ruining the present and future of Bihar’s youth.