Govt to bring all anganwadis in govt-owned premises: Health Min

MARGAO: The government is working hard in order to have all 1,290 anganwadis of State on the government-owned premises, stated Health Minister Vishwajit Rane, on Monday.
Addressing a gathering, here, organised by Women and Child Development Department, along with Leader of Opposition Digambar Kamat, and others, Rane said that the government had planned to reach out to the children studying in the anganwadis through digitisation mode.
“There are 1,290 anganwadis in the State and many are in rented premises. The government is working hard in order to bring all those anganwadis in the government-owned land or premises,” he stated.
The Health Minister said that the children studying in anganwadis should be provided with good and standard education. “All the children should get a good environment at anganwadis. Our target is to create a model State pertaining to the anganwadi sector,” he stated.
He also appreciated the service of all anganwadi workers and teachers at the time of COVID-19 pandemic. “The service given by the anganwadi workers in these pandemic times is important and needs to be appreciated. Their service was as equal to the medical fraternity,” Rane said.
In his address, Kamat  said that no one should compare the service of anganwadi workers to any other sectors with regard to the COVID pandemic.
Awards for the Best Child Development Project Officer, besides best Mukhyasevika, worker, and helper were given by the Health Minister and Leader of Opposition; besides several anganwadi workers/helpers/teachers were felicitated for their service during pandemic.
However, many anganwadi workers speaking to the media persons after the function expressed frustration for not resolving their grievances by the government.
They have claimed that the increment in the salary, besides benefits of other facilities should be given to them.
“Our demands are kept pending by the government for the last many years,” said one of the anganwadi workers.