Anganwadi workers staged a demonstration in Kalaburagi in Karnataka on August 21 opposing the introduction of Facial Recognition System (FRS) for beneficiaries under the Centre’s Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme.

The protestors, under the banner of the State Anganwadi Employees’ Association, argued that the FRS, which requires beneficiaries’ facial data to be scanned before distribution of foodgrains and nutritional supplements, is ‘inhuman’ and violates the spirit of the National Food Security Act, 2013, whose core objective is to ensure that no individual goes hungry. They reminded the government that the Supreme Court had already directed that beneficiaries must not be denied food or subsidies on the grounds of lacking an Aadhaar card.

Concerns were also raised about data privacy and cyber fraud, with the workers warning that the collection of facial biometrics could lead to misuse of personal information. They further accused the Union Government of using such restrictions to reduce its financial burden.

“Instead of contributing its mandated 60% share to the scheme, the Centre is trying to shirk its responsibility. This will only worsen India’s standing on the Human Development Index, where it ranks 135,” according to a protestor.

The workers demanded that the government withdraw FRS, make ICDS permanent, revise unit costs for beneficiaries, and implement pay scales for anganwadi staff on par with C and D category employees, as per the Gujarat High Court judgment of 2018.

The association warned about launching an indefinite protest outside Union Ministers’ residences in November and December if their demands were ignored.

The demonstration in Kalaburagi was led by district unit president Gowramma Patil.