People of Chhuinpani and Barpadar hamlets of Bhuinpani village under Nagpada panchayat of Boden block have complained that their children are not getting any benefit of the nutrition programme of the Government due to long distance of the Anganwadi Centre (AWC) located at Bhuinpani and negligence of the Anganwadi Worker (AWW).
There are 27 households in the two hamlets with 15 children below five years (9 in Chhuinpani and 6 in Barpadar). “None of them can go to the AWC at Bhuinpani because of long distance and hilly streams. The distance of Bhuinpani from Chhuinpani is four km and from Barpadar it is six km, and one has to cross five streams to reach Bhuinpani,” say the villagers adding that the road runs through a dense forest.
“The area being inhabited by wild animals and elephants, it is not possible even for us to move alone, how can the children go there,” they ask.
The villagers revealed that they have drawn the attention of the Odisha State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (OSCPCR) in this regard. “We are forced to draw the attention of the Commission, as the CDPO did not pay any heed to our demand for a mini AWC,” says Harisingh Chinda of Chhuinpani.
“The husband of the Anganwadi Worker (AWW) had visited our village three months ago, gave one packet Chhatua (nutrition mix) to each child and nothing after that,” adds Harisingh. The people also revealed that there is no distribution of egg.
“The husband of the AWW threatened us as we complained about her irregularities to higher officials,” said the villagers.
“The AWW doesn’t come to the center regularly; she stays at Jharnamal village, which is four and a half km far from the center,” they further inform. After lodging the complaint with the OSCPCR, the villagers are hopeful of a just hearing from the commission.