In Odisha Anganwadi workers allege corruption in ICDS project

JEYPORE: Alleging irregularities in the functioning of Sunabeda Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) project, a group of anganwadi workers sought action against the child development project officer (CDPO) and a sector supervisor on Wednesday.

Key points

• The Sunabeda ICDS project has around 85 anganwadi centres and caters to almost 1, 500 pre-school children.
• Nevertheless, Sunabeda CDPO Nalini Behera denied the allegations and maintained that the office had acted strictly in accordance with the rules.
• The workers submitted a memorandum to Koraput collector Manoj Satyawan Mahajan, seeking a detailed administrative inquiry into the alleged irregularities and immediate transfer of the two authorities.
• The workers further alleged that funds was being collected from them in the name of audit expenses, Kishori Mela and other office-related expenditure.
• They alleged that the dresses supplied were of inferior quality and asserted that the procurement was contrary to the prescribed procedure.

Notably, the workers submitted a memorandum to Koraput collector Manoj Satyawan Mahajan, seeking a detailed administrative inquiry into the alleged irregularities and immediate transfer of the two authorities. Two days ago, the anganwadi workers had additionally submitted a similar memorandum to Industries Minister Sampad Chandra Swain during his visit to Koraput.

According to the memorandum, the Sunabeda ICDS project authorities allegedly forced anganwadi workers to purchase uniforms/dresses for pre-school children from a particular self-help group (SHG) identified by the CDPO. They alleged that the dresses supplied were of inferior quality and asserted that the procurement was contrary to the prescribed procedure.

For context, the workers further alleged that funds was being collected from them in the name of audit expenses, Kishori Mela and other office-related expenditure. They additionally maintained that funds was being demanded from workers while withdrawing funds after signing records of the inspection committee, with the sector supervisor allegedly supporting such practices.

Seeking an impartial probe, the workers alleged that the CDPO and the supervisor had violated official norms and pressed the district administration to examine the records, procurement process and financial transactions before taking appropriate action.

Nevertheless, Sunabeda CDPO Nalini Behera denied the allegations and maintained that the office had acted strictly in accordance with the rules. There were no irregularities in the procurement of dresses and other activities of the ICDS project. She alleged that some anganwadi workers had been misled by vested interests and were making false allegations.

For context, the Sunabeda ICDS project has around 85 anganwadi centres and caters to almost 1, 500 pre-school children.

Taken together, the developments around in Odisha Anganwadi workers allege corruption in ICDS project point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.