TEAM HERALD
PANJIM: Even as the Education Department is battling suspected mid-day poisoning incidents and school infrastructures, the anganwadis ~ meant for pre-school children ~ are facing their own issues, particularly infrastructure.
Out of 1262 anganwadi centres across various corners of the State, 994 are located in private properties while only 268 are functioning in its own buildings. Top officials told Herald that space constraint and poor hygiene are two of many problems being faced by the rented centres, especially in villages.
The anganwadis, which is an Integrated Child Development Services programme to combat child hunger and malnutrition under the Department of Women and Child Development, are also struggling to get their own premises and in majority cases, getting rented premises is a tough task.
The reason: not enough Budget either to pay lump some rent or purchase its own plot of land because the government has to accommodate salaries of teachers and helpers from the funds.
While the rent in the rural areas is merely Rs 200 per anganwadi centre, in the urban areas government does not pay more than Rs 750. Sources said that once the ICDS is restructured the rent will be hiked to Rs 750 in the rural areas and Rs 3000 in the urban.
“But this amount is also not sufficient because the cost of living in the rural areas is also high as the real estate rates are exorbitant. Also, in the tourist season, a room or apartment is rented out for not less than Rs 10,000 in the villages. Then why will the people lend a room for Rs 200 or Rs 750,” said an official wishing anonymity.
Although infrastructure is not an issue in many cases, water seeps into the rooms during heavy showers. The centres also face space problems as a small rented room does not comfortably accommodate the children and the staff. Interestingly, food is also cooked for the children in the same premise. Besides, there is only one common toilet.
On the other hand, majority of the total government-owned buildings are situated in the school compound coming under the Education Department since a dedicated property is difficult to find, reason being the same ~ small budget.
“Buying a property also costs a huge amount which is not affordable. Therefore, we look for spacious school compounds where we occupy a small space to construct our own structure, even if it is 60 sq mtrs,” said the official.
The annual budget allocation under the scheme is Rs 2.33 crore of which Rs 174.31 crore was spent last financial year.
