For hundreds of Anganwadi centres spread across Ranchi financial year 2014-15 will introduce changes that are likely to bring some respite to the operators of the centres and make certain parts of the responsibility superfluous. Candle based water filters, bicycles and online transfer of funds are some of the measures in pipeline in the financial year 2013-14.
Drinking water issue at Anganwadi centres is likely to be addressed soon with the department of Social Welfare getting budgetary clearance for providing candle based water filter from the current financial.
“From this financial year we will start distributing candle based water filters to each Anganwadi centre,” said Deputy Secretary, Kanchan Anjali Mundu.
Drinking water has been one of the biggest problems at the ‘courtyard shelter’-- meaning of Anganwadi— despite provisions of handpump for every such shelter and with limited resources operator always had to rely on alternate source of water. Suitability of water for drinking hitherto depended on the source of water.
“We came to know about this last year that too through newspapers. If it begins from this year then it will be good both for us and children. They are dependent on us for good health and hygiene and water has always been a cause of concern,” said operator of Model Anganwadi centre at ward-39, Sapna Kumari.
Commutation for bringing students to the centre besides fetching food-grains for feeding children and nursing mothers which affected education activities for children coming to the shelter. The news was welcomed by operators who see distribution of bicycles helping in time management.
“A lot of time is wasted in travelling for bringing children to the centre and for collecting food-grains. This has often resulted in actions sometimes because absence of a Sevika at the time of inspection. I hope this will not be the case in future,” said a Mukhiyasevika.
Considering delay in payments made to an Anganwadi centre the department has taken strides in the direction of online transfer of funds. The system of payment is likely to be put in place in the month of May. The office of the District Social Welfare Officer has collected Aadhaar numbers of operators of 2832 Anganwadi centres.
“Seeding is in process and we may start transfer of funds to the accounts of all Anganwadi operators from a single point. This will address delay in payments,” said DSWO Ranchi, lal Singh Kuril.
Notably, each courtyard shelter is given Rs15,000 to 18,000 (depending on the number of children) for nutrition, around Rs3,700 and Rs1,800 towards payment of Sevika and Sahaika in addition to rent for the premises which is fixed at Rs750.