JOIN USVedanta Prathishtana to manage anganwadi centres in CB Pur taluk
The Zilla Panchayat’s move to hand over anganwadi centres of four taluks to Vedanta Prathishtana through an agreement, to strengthen them, has created quite a stir in many quarters.
In order to give a new look to the anganwadi centres, the State government has joined hands with a private organisation. The prathishtana is expected to bring in new changes to the day care centres.
However, many organisations in the district, feel that the government might lose its control over the anganwadi centres, by such a move. “It is not appropriate to thrust its responsibility on private parties. The government is shirking its responsibilities,” remarked leaders of many organisations.
It is learnt that Union corporate Affairs Minister M Veerappa Moily has evinced interest in the zilla panchayat’s agreement to hand over anganwadi centres to private organisation.
A total of 2,635 anganwadi centres of four districts in the Lok Sabha constituency will be under the Prathishtana.
Besides, 1,139 anganwadis in Chikkaballapur district, 1207 of Bangalore rural district, 222 of Bangalore urban district and 67 anganwadi centres in Ramnagar district will be maintained by the prathishtana.
Also, 1,139 anganwadi centres of Chikkaballapur district will be taken care of by the prathishtana for five years. During the five-year period, the prathishtana has to run the centres without seeking any assistance from the government.
According to the agreement, the prathishtana will also work towards improving basic infrastructure at village, create awareness about hygiene and health among residents.
But this has come under severe criticism by the CITU Anganwadi Workers and Assistants Association. Association district unit secretary Lakshmidevamma observed that “It’s a conspiracy of the government to privatise anganwadi centres. The government is financially strong to run the anganwadi centres. There was no need for the government to hand over anganwadi centres to the prathishtana.”
“Union Minister Veerappa Moily who prides over government service and its works, should have strengthened the anganwadi centres without giving it to private organisation. Instead, the minister should have chalked out a new scheme for the centres,” added Lakshmidevamma.
Protest today
Opposing the government’s move to privatise anganwadi centres, CITU Anganwadi Employees and Assistants Association will hold a protest in front of the deputy commissioner’s office on Friday.
Anganwadi workers from Chikkaballapur, Gauribidanur, Bagepalli and Gudibande taluks will take part in the protest.
Facilities
* Children in the age group of 3 to 6 years to get eggs on every Wednesday
* Uniform and slippers to children in 3-6 years
* Food on all five days
* Checking children’s weight and height
* Awareness on mother and child health
* Games
* Training to anganwadi employees