Nabarangpur anganwadi centres function sans buildings, basic infrastructure

Kids face hardships during rainy season when they are unable to have meals at the centre
Children having meals in open at an anganwadi centre in Nabarangpur district | Express
Children having meals in open at an anganwadi centre in Nabarangpur district | Express

NABARANGPUR: Children studying and having meals in the open and polythene-covered huts do not make for an ideal campaign picture for the Anganwadi programme. But, that is how the Anganwadi centres function in Nabarangpur district. Due to lack of infrastructure, children covered under the Special Nutrition Programme (SNP) and pre-school education are forced to sit in the open or under trees.

One such Anganwadi centre is situated in the Gandhi Nagar area of the town. The centre does not have its own building and runs from a polythene covered hut belonging to a helper who also cooks for the children. The residents of the locality said the centre started functioning nine years ago and so far, no steps have been taken to construct a building for the Anganwadi centre.

Gandhi Nagar Jubak Sangha president Sankar Naik said, “We have been demanding a building for the centre but no action has been taken by the authorities”. About 23 children are enlisted in the centre and face hardships during the rainy season when they often have their mid-day meals at home.

Twenty-eight Anganwadi centres are functioning in the town as per the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) programme of which only four have their own building. Besides, three centres are attached to nearby schools.

Interestingly, as per guidelines, in case an Anganwadi centre does not have a building of its own, they function from rented facilities. However, the norm is not followed in the district. Locals said Anganwadi centres play a vital role in a child’s learning process and the Government must ensure that they function from proper buildings with adequate infrastructure.

Anganwadi centres were started in 1975 by the Central Government as part of the ICDS programme to combat hunger and malnutrition among children. Basic health care activities that are provided at the centres include nutrition, education, and supplementation, as well as pre-school activities.

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