Children deprived of facilities in anganawadi

The anganawadi programme in the state has always been in dire straits. On the one hand the anganawadi workers have been demanding job security and regular payment of honorarium. On the other hand the government is trying to merge non-functional anganawadis into nearby anganawadis.

Anganawadis were started by the Indian government in 1975 as part of the Integrated Child Development Services programme to combat child hunger and malnutrition. In Chikkaballapur there are 1,593 anganawadis kendras. Most of these do not have their own building.

Some of the anganawadis are conduced in temples, others in dilapidated buildings or houses. In the progress review meeting on anganawadis minister, legislators, zilla panchayat president and deputy commissioner participate.

The officials are taken to task, time and again in respect providing basic facilities in anganawadis.

Anganawadis are run in cramped conditions, where children learn the letters. Most of the anganawadis in the urban and rural areas do not have basic facilities like drinking water and toilets. The situation is worse in border taluks of Bagepalli and Gudibande.

“The Government has not released adequate funds for the maintenance of anganawadis resulting in their sorry condition”, says Zilla Panchayat President B Sumithramma.

Lack of funds

“Under the Sampoorna Swachata Andolana (total sanitation drive) anganawadis in Bagepalli taluk did not receive any funds from 2006 to 2011. The taluk panchayat executive officer has stated that toilets have been provide in 149 anganawadis in 2005-06, but the Women and Child Welfare department has said that there are toilets in only 42 anganawadis. How do we trust these two department”, says Sumitharamma.

There are 363 anganawadis in Bagepalli taluk of which 133 anganawadis have their own buildings and another 14 are under construction. However, there are no sanitation facilities in any of these buildings.