ANGANWADI SCHOOL AT JALLA: No milk powder supply

Ferozepur, November 24, 2012:  On visit to one of the Anganwadi centre No.36, accommodating 36 children in the remote area village Jalla, situated just on the Indo-Pak border, it was noticed that there is no supply of dry milk powder since  October 4.

The Anganwadi programme was started by the Government of India in 1975 as part of the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS), is a grassroots  programme that reaches out to women in rural areas and urban slums, to educate them on matters of basic health and hygiene, nutrition, pre-natal and post-natal maternal and childcare and child rearing.

According to Gurdev Kaur, in-charge of Anganwadi centre village Jalla, 8 gm milk powder, 75 gm rice and 175 gm wheat is supplied per child per day. There are two Anganwadi centres in the village with enrollment of 26 and 23 children. But there has been no supply of dry milk powder since October 4 without any reasons.  However, the cooked sweet rice being served to the children were tasted and were found to be hygienic and tasty.

No doubt, over the years, the Aganwadi programme has played a significant role in changing the lives of those it has reached out to and nutrition and health standards have improved with the introduction of food items but non-supply of milk powder to Jalla village Anganwadi centre, itself speak, as to how much serious are the concerned department officials. 

On contacting the CDPO, Shashi Tyagi, who is holding the charge four districts, informed that the entire position is in her knowledge and it is not in Jalla village but throughout the state.  The funds for the purpose have been allocated but could not be withdrawn due to ban and hopefully by the end of December, the required supplies would start. 

She further said, due to shortage of funds, it is very difficult for them to manage the regular supplies.