Odisha’s Anganwadi Centres Face Severe Infrastructure Deficits

Bhubaneswar: A significant number of Anganwadi centres in Odisha are operating under severe infrastructure constraints, as revealed by Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida during the State Assembly session on Saturday.

In a written statement, Deputy CM Parida disclosed that approximately 21,486 Anganwadi centres lack dedicated buildings, hindering their capacity to deliver consistent services to local communities. Furthermore, over 31,000 centres are without electricity, posing substantial operational challenges.

The absence of essential facilities extends to kitchens and boundary walls, with 47,737 centres lacking proper cooking spaces and secure perimeters. These deficiencies raise serious concerns about the safety and effectiveness of these pre-school education hubs.

Anganwadi centres are integral to India’s Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) programme, aiming to provide healthcare, nutrition, and education to young children and mothers. The current infrastructure inadequacies underscore an urgent need for enhanced funding and resource allocation to bolster these vital services.

The Deputy Chief Minister’s revelations highlight the pressing necessity for government intervention to address these challenges and ensure the well-being and development of children and mothers across Odisha.