Shyam Das, Asansol: Intense discontent has spread in the local area regarding the dilapidated state of multiple ICDS or Anganwadi centers in Ward No. 26 of Asansol Municipal Corporation. Serious allegations have been raised, particularly regarding the services of Anganwadi centers numbered 157, 155, and 107. It is alleged that the children of the area are being deprived of the nutritious food items and other facilities allocated by the government. With serious allegations of an unhealthy environment and violation of government guidelines coming to the fore, a major question mark has arisen regarding the nutrition and safety of the children.
According to news received from local sources, the environment of Anganwadi center number 155 is extremely unhygienic. Lunch for the children is being cooked right next to open drains and scattered garbage, which is severely detrimental to children's health. Upon receiving this news, a BJP delegation visited center number 157 and demanded accountability from the center's supervisor, Rekha Chakraborty, regarding this mismanagement. At that time, a woman in charge of the kitchen revealed sensational information that proper arrangements for any food for the children had not been made on that day according to the prescribed rules.
On the other hand, the picture of center number 107 is even more disheartening. During the inspection, it was found that neither the supervisor in charge nor a single child was present at the center. Yet the kitchen was open and cooking was underway! Local residents alleged that only 10 boiled eggs were allocated for 30 registered children, which is extremely inadequate compared to the requirement. Not only that, a section of local residents also alleged that the rice, lentils, and other ration items sent by the government for the children are being sold in the black market instead of being cooked. However, it has not yet been possible to verify the independent and impartial truth of these allegations.
BJP District Secretary Baby Roy went to the spot to examine this overall situation and verify the truth of the corruption allegations. She observed the situation herself and expressed outrage. Various quarters have raised questions as to why the monitoring by the state government and the administration is so lax on a very sensitive and important issue like the nutrition of innocent children. The local conscious civil society has demanded a high-level inquiry into the incident immediately. Strong demands have also been made to take strict legal action against the concerned guilty persons if the allegations are proven true.
