GUNTUR: The absence of own buildings continues to undermine the operations of Anganwadis in the district, with majority of them functioning out of rented facilities with limited space, exposing children to safety hazards.
The recent incident in which a four-year-old boy Sk Shan Basha died of a snake bite at an Anganwadi Centre in Kollipara of Guntur district throws light on the poor safety measures at Anganwadis. On receipt of information, Women and Child Welfare Minister Paritala Sunitha rushed to the spot and announced Rs 3 lakh ex gratia to the kin and also promised a job for the boy’s mother.
She also paid a surprise visit to an Anganwadi Centre at Uppalapadu village in Pedakakani mandal of Guntur district on Saturday and found children sitting in an open ground. She vented her ire at the Anganwadi workers and directed them to shift children to a new building.
Social Welfare Minister Nakka Anand Babu had also conducted surprise checks earlier at Guntur and Tenali and instructed Anganwadi workers to improve maintenance at the centres. Some of the Anganwadis are functioning in thatched houses with asbestos roofs. Parents of the children have been demanding better amenities at Anganwadi Centres.
Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) is overseeing the functioning of 4,405 Anganwadi Centres, of which 3,302 Anganwadis continue to be operated out of rented buildings in Guntur district.
The State government sanctioned funds for the construction of 644 new buildings in Guntur district. The department completed 149 buildings and remaining will be completed before March 2018.
The government sanctioned Rs 7.5 lakh for each building and Rs 5 lakh from MGNREGS, Rs 2 lakh from Women and Child Welfare Department and remaining Rs 50,000 from the 14th Finance Commission. The local bodies can allot the site for the construction of building. But, most sarpanches are not showing interest to take up the project in the villages.
Nuzendla sarpanch N Bala Peri Reddy said Rs 7.5 lakh fund is not sufficient for construction of a new building. He further said that no one is coming forward to donate the site for the construction of building.
Women Development and Child Welfare department project officer D Sukhjeevan Babu said that over 70,000 children and 49,000 pregnant women have been enrolled in Anganwadi Centres. The government is taking all steps to provide better amenities at Anganwadis.
Woes of Anganwadis
According to norms, Anganwadis should have their own buildings with a built-up space of 600 sq.ft. with a classroom, kitchen, store room, toilet, and a separate room for children to take a nap
However, going by Social Justice Department figures, 3,302 Anganwadis continue to be operated out of rented buildings in Guntur district