Anganwadi centres cry for attention

BHADRAK: The district has as many as 2,435 anganwadi centres, including 269 mini-ones. Majority of these, however, lack basic infrastructure like buildings, electricity and water. These are mostly functional from either schools or under trees.To make things worse, the centres also lack adequate manpower. Sources said even as over seven lakh children are dependant on anganwadi centres, around 300 worker and 500 helper posts are vacant. While official records state that 20 per cent of the anganwadi centres do not have buildings of their own, sources put the figure at 50 per cent. Some centres that functioned from rented accommodations, have been closed down as the authorities  do not have funds to pay the rent.Leader of the district Anganwadi Workers and Helpers Sangha Sunita Mohapatra said anganwadi centres in blocks of Chandbali, Tihidi and Bhandaripokhari are lying in pathetic condition with not even potable water supply.The anganwadi workers, under the aegis of the Sangha and Bharatiya Majdoor Sangha, recently staged a dharna over the issues  at the collectorate. They also demanded a stop on retrenchment of anganwadi centres in the district and reinstatement of the retrenched workers with  a pay hike. They called off their agitation after ADM  Debendra Mohaptara promised measures in this direction.