MESMA and Nature of Service of Anganwadi workers
Recently, Government of Maharashtra passed an order which decided to bring anganwadi workers under the scope of Maharashtra Essential Services Maintenance Act, 2017 (hereinafter referred to as “the MESMA” for the sake of brevity). Later the said order was revoked and the operation of the MESMA against anganwadi workers was stayed. This article attempts to simplify the issue by analyzing it critically. It is duty of the State to see that every person gets essential services such as transport, water, milk, gas, electricity, public health etc. For which Central Act namely The Essential Services Maintenance Act, 1968 was enacted. The MESMA is State Legislation connected with matters in respect of which the State Legislature has power to make laws. Object of the MESMA is to provide for the maintenance of certain essential services and the normal life of the community. Section 2 of the MESMA defines essential services. It is necessary to understand