Irony of anganwari scheme (ICDS)

IT is indeed ironic that the anganwari scheme meant to alleviate child hunger and malnutrition is plagued with many ills. The recent incident in Haryana in which fungus-infested food was supplied to anganwaris in Kaithal is yet another proof that these courtyard shelters are in effect no one’s baby.

On the surface, the incident might seem like a minor lapse but actually reveals a deeper malaise that cannot be justified. The fact that the food was not just of poor quality but also downright unpalatable is symptomatic of the “couldn’t care less attitude” of those concerned. That their negligence could have played havoc with the lives of children already at risk, speaks volumes of their insensitivity and lack of concern.

The Anganwari Programme that came into being as part of the Integrated Child Development Services Scheme is meant to be a tool to check malnourishment. Sadly, the scheme has been lacking in many aspects. The Tribune has often exposed the dismal reality behind these centres not only in Haryana but also in Punjab. The state of anganwaris in Haryana has exposed the lack of accountability, besides many other loopholes. While in some anganwaris the beneficiaries were no more than names in the register, poor storage, questionable quality of food and the absence of proper facilities were other problems. In Punjab, the situation was found to be no better. Actually, the way anganwaris are run across the country leaves much to be desired.
Perhaps, the rub lies in not making the officials concerned answerable. That a well-meaning scheme, which pumps in crores and employs a huge manpower, is not allowed to meet the desired results is an indictment of the machinery involved in running and monitoring it. Anganwaris are supposed to be cradles of care, not of neglect, as these have become in recent times. All efforts must be made to turn around the working of anganwaris. Both responsibility and accountability have to be fixed. Those who fail in their duties, as in the Haryana case, must be made to pay a heavy price for their lapses.