Chitrakonda: As many as 52 of the 180 Anganwadi centres (AWC) in 18 panchayats of Swabhiman Anchal under this block in Malkangiri district do not have their own buildings, forcing children to attend preschool classes in community centres, schools and private verandahs.
The AWCs at Jantri under Andrapalli panchayat and Guralur under Papulur panchayat are operating from community centres, while those at Mukudipalli in Andrapali panchayat and Doliamba in Badapada panchayat have been operating from schools for years.
While Anganwadi worker positions are lying vacant at Nagulur and Hantalguda centres, cook positions have been vacant for a long time in 72 AWCs of the block. Locals alleged that children’s pre-school education is completely disrupted due to this reason.
At Tantaguda village under Paparmetla panchayat, the AWC has been functioning from a private verandah for about 15 years. The centre was opened in 2011, but a permanent building has yet to be constructed. Anganwadi worker Parbati Hantal teaches more than 35 children while they sit on the mud floor of the verandah of her parental home, villagers said.
Children attend classes there despite heat, rain and cold weather. Villagers said they have repeatedly brought the issue to the attention of ICDS supervisors, the child development project officer (CDPO) and block officials. About three-to-four years ago, construction of an Anganwadi building was started near a school by local contractor Biju Khil. However, work was abandoned after the completion of the foundation work. Villagers Kamala Srigam, Mishra Khl, Mani Hantal, Ekama Khil and Ghenu Hantal said repeated complaints to the junior engineer and block offi – cials had produced no results.
Supervisor Kumari Nayak said it was difficult to conduct classes in private verandahs because the centre lacks its own building. Chitrakonda CDPO Pramila Devata said higher authorities have repeatedly been informed about the lack of buildings at several AWCs.
Block Junior engineer Kamalesh Nayak said construction had begun on the instructions of district and block authorities but no funds had been released. The contractor stopped work because of the lack of funds, he said, adding that a letter has been sent to the Malkangiri district Integrated Women and Child Development department seeking action. Two AWCs at Nagulur and Hantalaguda also have worker posts vacant. In addition, cook positions have remained vacant at 26 centers in the block for years, residents said.
