Anganwadi centres in Muktsar, Fazilka not getting ration supply

Arshdeep Singh (4) looks around after he feels hungry at an anganwadi centre in Muktsar but the helper deputed there is unable to give him food.

The centre has not received ration under the government’s Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) programme for the last 10 months.

Not only this, most of the anganwadi centres in Muktsar and Fazilka districts do not have ration to provide to the children enrolled there. The situation is no different in other districts of the state. The ICDS programme takes care of an all-round developmental needs of children below six and pregnant women through these anganwadi centres.

Besides powdered milk which is served to the tiny tots, the ration supplied to these centres consists of wheat and rice of which the helpers prepare ‘dal- iya’ while ready-made ‘panjeeri’ is brought from the market.

Of a total of 26,656 anganwadi centers in the state, Mu kt sara nd Fazilka have 842 and 992 centres

All Punjab An gan wadi Mulaz am Union president H argon ind Kaur said, “The centres haven't received any ration for the last 10 months across the state. We will protest if ration is not supplied soon. Instead, they should increase the quantity of food given to kids and pregnant women.”

Union’ s Muktsar unit president Shin der pal K au rT han dewala said, “It’s very difficult for us to manage without food. The government is not serious about chil- dren and pregnant women."

District program officer (Fazilka) Geeta Rani said, “Angandwadi centres have been facing acute shortage of ration for along time. I can’ t comment on the issue since I am holding additional charge of this.”

Director (social security and development of women and chi ld ren)Ka vita Singhsaid,“T here was a problem in the past but we have released the funds recently.”

Attempts to contact social security and development of women and children minister Razia Sulatana failed with her assistant claiming she was busy in a meeting.

THESE CENTRES HAVE NOT RECEIVED RATION UNDER INTEGRATED CHILD DEVELOPMENT SERVICES PROGRAMME FOR 10 MONTHS