Funds for building anganwadis in Kozhikode to be delayed

The maximum amount allotted for buying land to construct an anganwadi is Rs.50,000. This is when market rate of land per cent in Kozhikode is upwards from a minimum Rs.3 lakh.

The State government’s sanction for the construction of 24 anganwadi buildings under the NABARD-assisted Rural Infrastructure Development Fund seems to be in a limbo.

Officials of the district’s Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme say that they have received information that there may be a delay in the allotment of funds for the building project. “We had prepared and sent a detailed project report for the requirement of buildings in places within the district where land was available. However, the latest information is that funds may not be coming very soon,” Programme Officer, ICDS Cell, Prabha, says.

The Social Justice Department has sanctioned the construction of 24 new anganwadi buildings in the district as part of a Statewide project under the NABARD-assisted Rural Infrastructure Development Fund.

Proposed projects The new anganwadis are proposed to be constructed in Chelanur, Balussery, Nadapuram, Kozhikode Rural, Kunnamangalam, Kakkodi, Kottoor, Farook, Perambra and Panthalayani here.

Their sanctioning is part of a project to construct a total 506 anganwadis throughout the State for a total cost of Rs. 40.98 crore. The order comes even as over 2,500 anganwadis currently operate out of limited spaces, sans basic facilities and without qualified caretakers in the district.

Social Justice Department officials say getting land for setting up anganwadis has been a constant source of worry for the government.

The maximum amount allotted for buying land to construct an anganwadi is Rs.50,000. This is when market rate of land per cent in Kozhikode is upwards from a minimum Rs.3 lakh.

Rental Until 2014, the department allowed only Rs.750 allotted as rent for a building in urban areas. In rural parts, the department allowed Rs.200.

In 2014, rental rates were revised to Rs.3,000 for urban areas and Rs.750 for rural parts. But the advance amount for the rented accommodation mostly goes from the pocket of the poor anganwadi teacher or helper as there is no provision to allot such an advance amount from the department.

A case in example is an anganwadi called ‘Nest’, which functions from the Central Fish and Meat Market at Valiyangadi.

Here, 18 children spend their mornings without proper light, drinking water, play area, and toilets.