Anganwadi centres have become synonyms with ramshackle structures and Nayagarh district is no exception. There are 1,544 anganwadi centres in the district and only 64 have buildings of their own and the remaining being run from schools or village community centres.
While Rs 5 lakh each has been sanctioned for 77 buildings under the State Plan and 106 under the Integrated Action Plan, only 22 are under construction, sources in District Social Welfare Office said.
Work is yet to be taken up at Bhatasahi under Nayagarh block, Jagannathpur under Khandapada block, Sasan under Bhapur block and Madhubansahi in Ranpur block, which were allotted funds last July. Villagers also complain about quality of food served to children at these centres.
They alleged that a major portion of the supplies is looted in connivance with higher-ups. There are eight CDPOs in eight blocks and 31 supervisors to monitor functioning of the centres. The centre at Bhagabatiprasad village, about 3 km from Komandin Odagaon block, is housed in a dingy room on the outskirts the village.
The children here are served only rice and dal. At Balikudia village where only seven or eight kids are enrolled, the cook brings rice and dal from her house.