Udupi: Anganwadi workers, demanding payment of gratuity, staged a protest under the aegis of Karnataka State Anganwadi Employees’ Association and District Committee, in front of the deputy commissioner’s office, on Thursday.

Their demands included the need of pre-primary education in Anganwadi centers and consideration of Anganwadi workers as teachers.

Association district general secretary Sushil Nada said the Supreme Court had ruled that Anganwadi employees were entitled to gratuity as per the Gratuity Act of 1972.

State cabinet should issue an order if an Anganwadi worker is caught in a wrongdoing. Steps to remove her from work without issuing notice should be stopped, he said.

CITU Udupi district general secretary Suresh Kallagar said the Centre has been reducing the grants for projects related to Anganwadi centers through ICDS year after year.