Berhampur: Anganwadi workers of Ganjam and the district administration are at loggerheads over the decision to supply eggs to the Anganwadi centres thorough three self help groups (SHGs). Earlier, the Anganwadi workers were procuring eggs from the local market and the SHGs were supplying ‘Chatua’.
Though Additional District Magistrate Kabindra Kumar Sahu had informed the Child Development Project Officers (CDPOs) of Ganjam under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) on May 20 that the eggs would be supplied to the Anganwadi centres through SHGs, the Anganwadi workers have expressed their ignorance about it.
On the other hand, the Anganwadi workers have demanded that the SHGs should also take responsibility of total expenditure on food provided to the beneficiaries. At present, Rs 7.70 is allotted for food to each beneficiary including Rs 4.90 for one egg, Rs 2.80 for tiffin and others, said Manjubala Panigrahi, secretary of Anganwadi Workers Association.
Anganwadi workers further alleged that they have not yet received the outstanding amount of the eggs purchased by them during April and May. If the outstanding amount is not cleared by May 31, we would go for cease-work from June 1, said Manjubala. They have also informed District Social Welfare Officer (DSWO), Block Development Officer (BDO) and Tehasildar about the matter.
Meanwhile, many CDPOs of Ganjam including Digapahandi, Berhampur, Sanakhemundi, Seragada and other blocks have strictly instructed the Anganwadi workers to receive eggs from the SHG.
