JAGATSINGHPUR: A square cemented platform is all that Galadhari anganwadi centre has. This anganwadi centre in Nuagaon does not even have a temporary building and functions on the premises of a temple in the village. This has been the scene for the last seven years.The anganwadi centre was opened in 2011 and the total children strength is 17. However, only six to seven children come to the centre daily. Villagers do not send their children to the centre during monsoon.
Supervisor of the centre Renubala Dei said as there is no provision for cooking food for the children in the temple, especially eggs which are a part of the special diet under Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme, the anganwadi worker cooks the food in her house and provides it to the children outside the temple daily. Aganwadi worker Parbati Behera said as there is no proper infrastructure, villagers are reluctant to send their children. “While the situation is manageable during winter, children are unable to study under open sun during the summer and monsoon when the anganwadi centre remains closed,” she said.
Galadhari anganwadi centre is not the lone case. Jagatsinghpur district has 1,840 anganwadi centres and 1,054 of them function from their own buildings and have kitchens. The rest 786 centres do not have permanent buildings and function from temples, club houses, community centres, verandahs of schools and other public places.Apart from infrastructure issues, there are allegations that less amount of rice, ‘chatua’, and other grocery items are being provided to the anganwadi centres for cooking food for the children. District Social Welfare Officer Sabita Bag said she is not aware of infrastructure requirements of the Galadhari aganwadi centre but assured to initiate an inquiry into less quantity of food items being supplied to anganwadi centres.