Five anganwadis at Kumbra village sans ration for months

Pavneet Singh Chadha

Tribune News Service

Mohali, February 20

Anganwadi centres at Kumbra village have been running without ration supplies for months. The village, which has five anganwadi centres, has only received packets of panjiri, procured from the Food Corporation of India (FCI). Other ration supplies, including rice, sugar, dalia (sweet porridge) and ghee, are yet to be procured, with officials claiming administrative delays.

Sources said in the entire Kharar II block, ration was yet to be procured. An official on the condition of anonymity said, “Some estimates had been prepared for the procurement of ration, but they were stuck in administrative delays.”

Anganwadi teachers and helpers said periodic reports of inadequacies at the centres were prepared and sent to supervisors, CDPOs concerned and the District Programme Officer (DPO).

Under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme, anganwadi centres are supposed to provide supplementary nutrition to children below the age of six and pre-school education to children between the age of 3 and 6.

Soniya, a teacher at the anganwadi opposite the Valmiki temple, said, “The panjiri finished a few days ago. Some students bring lunch from home. We had informed the supervisor on her last visit to the centre regarding ration,” she added.

Food, when available, is cooked in a store, which has been converted into a kitchen. One anganwadi has been given a makeshift space in a gurudwara.

Another teacher said, “Since this is panchayat land, sometimes we have to vacate the premises when there is a wedding function.”

Shakuntala, supervisor of Kumbra and Sohana anganwadis, said, “We just distributed food. The decision regarding the procurement of supplies and related financial bills are taken at a higher level.” Despite repeated attempts, the DPO could not be reached for comments.