Child rights panel inspection finds lapses at anganwadi centre in Chandigarh

CCPCR team inspects Govt Anagwadi Centre in Chandigarh on Wednesday. (Express Photo)

THE CHANDIGARH Commission for Protection of Child Rights (CCPCR) found serious shortcomings at an anganwadi centre and a creche, both run by the government, during an inspection here on Wednesday.

During the inspection at the government anganwadi centre, Sector 56, the CCPCR team found that children were sitting on torn mattresses. Not just this. The doors of washrooms were also found broken which required immediate replacement.

The members, who were conducting an inspection, saw that there was no proper first aid box and the medicines kept in that box are being administered to the children without prescription from doctor,” a member of the CCPCR stated.

A complaint box, which should be installed or placed in a proper place and be monitored by the supervisor, wasn’t there. The police verification of contract or outsourced employees wasn’t done,” stated a release by the commission.

During inspection at the government crèche, sectors 39 and 40, the team found glass windowpanes broken. At Sector 39, a safety grille was not installed which they said was a serious lapse endangering the lives of children,” a member said. Members also found clothes and mattresses hanging on swings meant for children.

“A complaint box was also not found. Police verification of all the employees has to be done at both centres,” the team said. At an inspection at Shivalik Public School, Sector 41, Chandigarh, CCPCR suggested was also conducted where installation of complaint boxes was advised. The team found that the bags of students were too heavy. “The school authorities are advised to devise some mechanism to decrease the bag load,” the panel observed.