India, July 11 -- Ludhiana

Hundreds of Anganwadi workers and helpers gathered outside the deputy commissioner's office on Friday to hold a demonstration, accusing the Centre and Punjab government of failing to fulfil its long-pending promises. Dressed entirely in black as a mark of protest, the workers raised slogans against both the state and central governments, demanding better wages, service benefits and recognition of their work.

The protest was organised by the Anganwadi Workers' Union, whose members alleged that despite repeated assurances and several rounds of meetings with the government, none of their key demands had been addressed.

The demonstrators demanded a substantial increase in their monthly honorarium, regular promoti...