Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, Aug 26:
The plan of the Central Government to upgrade all the Anganwadi centres to the status of Pre-Primary Schools is likely to be implemented by April, 2007, Joint Director of Social Welfare Department S Saratkumar Sharma has disclosed.
Taking part in the one-day Anganwadi awareness meet held at GM Hall here today as the chief guest, Saratkumar said many State Governments, already aware of this significance even before a final shape was given to the plan, had already taken up necessary measures in this regard.
After having taken up the onus of educating all the students between 6 to 14 years of age and living below poverty line (BPL) under Sarva Siksha Abhiyan (SSA), the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Govt of India, in recognition of the importance of educating children in the 3-6 years age group in pre-primary schools has chalked out plan accordingly, he said.
Under this plan construction of suitable building of all the existing 4501 Anganwadi centres in Manipur is underway.
However, it is unlikely the task will be completed by 2007 in view of various problems like building construction not conforming with laid down guidelines and conflict between construction committees and Anganwadi workers/helpers, he expressed.
In such a situation, Anganwadi centres in Manipur might not be reaping the fruit of the plan when the Centre issues instruction for upgrading the Anganwadi centres to pre-primary level, he noted.
With this view in mind, Women and Child Development Division of Social Welfare Department, Govt of Manipur would be stepping up activities of monitoring building construction of all the centres, the chief guest announced.
Saratkumar also warned that legal action would be taken up if the Anganwadi buildings were found to be misused after they are handed over to the workers/helpers by the Construction Committee concerned.
Speaking on the occasion attended by Anganwadi workers and helpers of Imphal West district, All Manipur Anganwadi Association president Tonkhombi lamented lack of awareness among the people on activities of the Anganwadi workers and helpers in Manipur.
Anganwadi workers and helpers are looking after all the aspects of social development of the children from 0-6 years brought to the Anganwadi centres, she explained.
In his observation, Ibomcha, social welfare secretary of DESAM, Imphal West District Council which organised the meet, informed a mass campaign would be launched in all the Anganwadi centres in Manipur.
While disclosing that out of Rs 1.25 lakhs sanctioned by the Govt of India for construction of each of the Anganwai centres' building, Ibomcha said construction of 660 centres in the Ist phase and another 655 centres in the 2nd have been completed.
However, it has come to the knowledge that many of the buildings constructed do not conform to the prescribed guidelines contending many of these buildings are being misused by renting them out.
Moreover, 70 percent of the Anganwadi centres in Manipur do not function properly.
This shows that the authorities concerned like the Minister, Director, DPO, CDPO and Superintendent do not monitor them, he alleged.
He also charged local MLAs concerned with giving undue interferences in the functioning of the Anganwadi centres.