Biometric attendance for anganwadi workers: Jayamala

Minister for Women and Child Development, Empowerment of Differently Abled and Senior Citizens along with Kannada and Culture Jayamala said that the government plans to introduce a biometric system of attendance for anganwadi workers and assistants.

Chairing a review meeting here on Tuesday, the minister directed the officials to ensure that the anganwadi workers are not overburdened with works of other departments. “The Department works like Bhagyalakshmi scheme, vaccination for children and pregnant women can be entrusted to anganwadi workers. If the anganwadi worker is overburdened with other departmental works, then who will take care of the tiny tots in the anganwadi centre?” she asked.

She directed the officials to ensure cleanliness and hygiene in the surroundings of the anganwadi centre.

The weeds grown in the surroundings of the anganwadi centre should be cleared. In case of mosquito menace, mosquito nets can be used for the windows, she suggested.

Deputy Director of Women and Child development Sundar Poojary said that 1,787 anganwadi centres function in their own buildings, the work on 75 centres is in progress. As many as 56 anganwadi centres function from rented buildings. As 39 anganwadi centres are functioning from community halls in the district, the minister said that she will write to the deputy commissioner to identify land for such anganwadi centres.

Jayamala said that outdoor games should be made mandatory for the children in anganwadi centres. Child-friendly toilets should be constructed in the anganwadi centres.

The CDPO brought to the notice of the minister that the system of online applications for the post of helpers is causing inconvenience to applicants.

The minister said that the process of appointing helpers to anganwadi could be changed from online to manual in a bid to address the shortage in this post. The post of helpers should be filled as and when the need arises, Jayamala directed.

Further, she stressed the need to maintain hygiene in cooking, the helpers should be given gloves and aprons.

The officials informed the minister that the Mathru Poorna scheme has received a poor response in Dakshina Kannada as only a few of the targeted women are taking meals provided under the scheme. “The district has achieved only 11% progress in spite of efforts made by the anganwadi workers in convincing the pregnant and lactating women to take meals. The uneven terrain in villages, long distance were also responsible for poor response to the scheme,” said the officials.

The minister directed the officials to make arrangements to supply cooked food to the beneficiaries and to ensure that the scheme is implemented effectively.

CDPO from Belthangady informed the minister that women do not like white boiled rice and turn dal rasam in the district.

Jayamala directed the officials to impart quality skill training to members of the Sthree Shakthi groups, to ensure that the women are empowered and earn a decent living. Women could be imparted training in fashion design, she suggested.

Prof Hilda Rayappan of the Prajna Counselling Centre said that the women should be guided in a cost-effective business plan.