Inquiry ordered into purchase of toys for anganwadi centres

BARIPADA: District Social Welfare Officer (DSWO) Kusummala Mishra has ordered a probe into alleged irregularities in purchase of kits, toys and other materials for anganwadi centres for children in Mayurbhanj district.The probe was necessitated after some workers of anganwadi centres of Badasahi block of the district levelled allegations of irregularities in purchase of different items before the higher officials on Friday. The workers alleged that funds allotted for buying kits and toys for anganwadi centres were embezzled and they were being threatened by some officials.

Sources said anganwadi workers are required to buy toys and play materials for children with the money that is credited to their bank accounts.However, it was alleged that some Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) officials interfered in the procurement process and forced the workers to buy sub-standard materials. Sources said `16.15 lakh was sanctioned for as many as 323 anganwadi centres in Badasahi block. The salaries of workers who brought the matter to the notice of officials concerned were stopped.

Shashanka Sekhar Kar, a Congress party activist, alleged that a private agency has been supplying stationery to all tehsils and other Government offices across the district. “The same agency, despite not being registered as is mandatory, was supplying the materials to the anganwadi centres in connivance with some officials”, he said.Meanwhile, Kuntimanai Patra, Child Development Protection Officer, dismissed the allegations and said no money was collected by any ICDS official from the anganwadi workers. “It is a conspiracy against me by some people”, he added.