The progress of Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) can be easily understood seeing the plight of Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) in Jharsuguda district.
Departmental sources said that out of 957 Anganwadi Centres of three municipal areas and five blocks of the district, 305 centres do not have its own buildings. Rest 22 buildings are to be rejected after declared unsafe.
From 2010-11 onwards, out of the approved 546 buildings of the Anganwadi Centres, the construction work of 92 buildings has not yet been started which speaks volume about poor progress in the construction work of these buildings.
Steps were taken to construct buildings of the Anganwadi Centres before last 2011. On completion of construction of all 320 buildings, 22 were found in abandoned condition.
After sanction received for 546 buildings from the State Government during 2010-11, 349 buildings have been completed while construction is continuing in respect of 105 buildings. The work of 92 buildings has not yet started at all. The construction process is being delayed for some reasons or other although the land has been identified for the same.
During 2018-19, sanction from the State plan has been given for construction of 31buildings out of which work for 18 buildings has not been initiated.
likewise, while 212 buildings have received sanction of MGNREGS, construction for 70 buildings has not begun. Out of 957 Anganwadi Centres in the district, 652 centres have own buildings. 147 centres are running in school buildings and 134 in Central community centres or club houses and 24 in rent free other private buildings. The construction work is not completed despite the in-charge of buildings has been warned several times. As a result, many centres are running in a very miserable condition without having their own buildings, which stand as a major setback to attract children.
When approached, District Social Welfare Officer (DSWO) Suprabha Seth said that the State Government has issued letters for 22 Anganwadi Centres informing that each of the centre would be repaired soon. The DSWO also added that they have requested the district Collector to allocate funds for 43 new Aanganwadi Centres with a budget of Rs 7 lakh per centre from the District Minerals Fund (DMF).