Odisha Takes Steps To Foil Andhra’s Interference In Anganwadi Centre In Gajapati Dist

Berhampur: Following the attempt of Andhra Pradesh to interfere in the activities of Anganwadi centre in a border village in Gajapti district, the local administration has geared up to win back the confidence of the people by initiating a number of basic facilities.

According to sources, an Anganwadi worker of Gudukhudi village under Gangabada panchayat had lodged a complaint at Garabandh police station recently alleging that the sarpanch of neighbouring Budhasing in Andhra Pradesh was instigating the villagers not to receive the nutritious food being provided by the Odisha government. He had also threatened her over phone not to visit the village.

The Anganwadi worker further alleged that when she had gone to the village to distribute the food, some villagers threatened her not to come to the village in presence of Andhra police.

Former sarpanch of Gangabada panchayat Hadibandhu Karjee said the Andhra government was trying to open an Anganwadi centre at Gudukhudi village after Manikapatna under the same panchayat. “Though five families received the food provided by the Anganwadi worker, some other families threatened her to take back the food failing which the Andhra police would take action against her,” said Karjee.

He further said when some people talked to Budhasing sarpanch, the latter asked the villagers to detain the Anganwadi worker if she visits again and hand her over to the AP police.

Following the incident, Additional tehsildar Chitta Ranjan Dash and IIC of Garabandh police station visited Gudukhudi and discussed with the villagers on the matter. The distribution of nutritious foods for the children have been streamlined, said district administration sources.

The district administration has also initiated steps to improve infrastructure facilities and basic amenities like health service, education and road communication in the village.

“We are providing all possible provisions to the people under the state government norms and would continue it further,” said Gajapati collector Lingaraj Panda. Besides, a training programme on fish farming is presently going on in Gudukhudi and the ITDA has undertaken various developmental steps for the people there, he added.