Withdrawal of suspension order on two Anganwadis demanded

BHUBANESWAR: Demanding withdrawal of suspension order on Anganwadis in the case of wall collapse tragedy, where seven kids died, at an Anganwadi centre at Suansia under Ranapur ICDS project in Nayagarh district, the Nikhila Odisha Anganwadi Karmi Sangha (NOAKS) staged rally and demonstration in front of the State Assembly here on Friday.

Hundreds of Anganwadi workers came in a procession from Master Canteen to Lower PMG flaunting placards bearing slogans against the State Government protesting Anganwadi’s suspend. The Sangha demanded Rs 10 lakh as compensation to the family of the victims.

The AITUC and the AIAWF affiliated Sangha’s Vice-president Bijay Jena said the State Government failed to set up Anganwadi centres though ICDS project completed 37 years. More than 60,000 Anganwadi centres are functioning in the State, but only near about 15,000 Anganwadi centres have their own buildings, he added.

The Sangha said the concerned officials should provide house rent if the Anganwadi centre has no house, but the rule is not properly implemented. Construction of Anganwadi centres yet to begin in the State though money was sanctioned in 2008 for the project, they added. The Sangha demanded the Government should set up Anganwadi centres immediately.

Suspending the Anganwadi workers and headmistress and avoiding senior district officials is not right, the Sangha said. Among others, NOAKS general secretary Minati Sahu, Mamata Khuntia, Harapriya Swain and Saraswati Sutar took the lead of the rally.