Anganwadi centres fail to deliver in Jiribam
Source: The Sangai Express

Jiribam, September 04 2013: It is likely that the people here have forgotten about the existence of Anganwadi centres which were set up under Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) by the Government of India for the health and wellbeing of the children.

There are a total of 175 Anganwadi centres in Jiribam out of which 12 are lying vacant.

In the remaining 163 centres there are 163 each helpers and workers who have been deprived of their 15 months honorarium.

Great difficulties were faced as there are only three supervisors instead of the six required.

Even if there is the instruction of the Government of India to provide the benefits of informal preschool education to every children from 3 to 6 years of age at Anganwadi centres, its existence has been forgotten in Manipur's Jiribam subdivision and its activities not conducted for more than two decades.

Most of the helpers and workers here do not like to work but only think about the honorarium.

Though the report of the construction of the 175 Anganwadi centres is there on the paper, most of these are not constructed in the assigned place and not as per the Guideline of the Government.

Some of the Anganwadi centres have been used as private residence against the Guideline that there should not be a hindrance to public entry at the centre and it should be a Government property.

Moreover, the concerned officials of ICDS have no idea about the money sanctioned for the construction of toilets of the centres.

People here informed that not only the food items for the children were not delivered regularly but also the helpers and workers do not make it reach the people.

The helper and worker of Anganwadi are to be appointed by the District Project Officer being an Appointing Authority, however, in Manipur, the Director appoints them at will.

The Director had appointed 10 each workers and helpers in October last year.

The improper functioning of the Anganwadi centres is one of the main reasons for the degradation of Government Primary Schools.

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