Chhatrapur: Planners in Ganjam district had reasons to worry after 31,822 children were found suffering from malnutrition with posts of 65 Anganwadi workers and 16 helpers lying vacant in the district.
This was revealed at a review meeting of the district ICDS department at the collectorate here Tuesday.
Presiding over the meeting, Collector Vijay Amruta Kulange asked the officials concerned to lay more stress on combating malnutrition among children. He asked the child development project officers (CDPOs) to reduce the malnutrition rate in the district which is 9.1 per cent.
Kulange said 31,822 children are suffering from malnutrition in the district and advised the CDPOs to use more jaggery in place of sugar in Anganwadis.
He said cleanliness should be maintained in Anganwadis as well as their toilets while planting of saplings and power supply should be ensured.
The district has received sanctions for 5,139 Anganwadi centres out of which the state government has sanctioned funds for the construction 3,633 centers.
While construction of 2,609 Anganwadi centre has been completed, the consultancy agencies were asked to complete work on the remaining centres soon. Over 65 posts of Anganwadi workers and 16 posts of assistants are lying vacant in the district as a case is pending in the Orissa High Court.
The Collector said soon women included in Mamata Yojana will receive their dues. In the meeting, the CDPOs drew the attention of the Collector towards the refusal by banks to open accounts of self-help groups. The Collector heard their pleas and asked them to submit the details of the banks over which he will take a call.
Additional district magistrate (ADM) Kabindra Kumar Sahoo, Berhampur sub-collector Siddharth Shankar Swain and the CDPOs of all blocks and other district officials attended the meeting.
PNN