The BJP Mahila Morcha on Sunday alleged that BJD leaders’ money-making and PC (percentage) taking attitude has worsened the situation of malnutrition among children and women in the State, and asked the ruling party to give clarifications to related questions before the people during its ongoing Jansampark Padyatra.
Addressing a Press meet, Morcha State present Pravati Parida said the BJD should tell people as to why the number of WSHGs is dwindling and low quality food items are being provided to women.
“In 2015, there were a total of 5,63,338 WSHGs in the State but the number came down to 3,07,480 in 2017. On this basis, 2,730 members belonging to 273 WSHGs are quitting Naveen’s Mission Shakti,” she pointed out. She too dared the ruling party to clarify as to why pregnant women are being carried in cots to hospitals and, in most of the cases, giving birth in the open air. “The Naveen Patnaik Government has opened liquor shops in nook and corner of the State for which youths have gone wayward and violence has been marked in families. Women and girls feel unsafe in rural areas now. The BJD leaders must give clarification in this regard,” she said.
Raising problems of the Anganwardi Workers, Parida said the ruling leaders should tell people as to why the State Government is yet to give them Government employee status while many other States have already done that.
“Malnutrition has worsened in the State. The Government has included 38,564 of identified 45,536 undernourished children in the Supplementary Nutrition Yojan. The ruling party leaders should also clarify as to why the rest children haven’t been included the schem,” demanded Parida.
She also wanted that the ruling party clarify as to why 40,805 of total 72,587 Anganwadi Centres have no own houses yet.
Among others, BJP State vice-president Sukeshi Oram, spokesperson Dilip Mohanty and Mahila Morcah vice-president Pinky Pradhan were present.