Anganwadis in the city shut down

PUNE: Anganwadis in the district’s urban and semi-urban areas have shut down due to the threat of coronavirus (COVID19). Hence, District Collector Naval Kishore Ram said that instead of mid-day meals, ‘Take Home Ration’ (THR) will be delivered to children’s and pregnant women’s homes. 

However, Anganwadi Karmachari Sanghatana (Maharashtra) has demanded that the anganwadis in rural areas must also be restricted to supplying only meals.

“We had asked the government not to shut down the Anganwadis totally, as these are places where most children and women get a balanced diet. They could come in for a meal and take the rest home in tiffins,” said Shubha Shamim of Anganwadi Karmachari Sanghatana.

Shamim informed that the anganwadis in rural areas have been asked to remain open.

“Children gathering in large numbers at anganwadis, even in rural areas, could be dangerous. It would be best if the anganwadis are kept open only for food,” she added.

Many have also expressed concerns about keeping anganwadis and school under gram panchayats, which are closer to affected urban and semi-urban areas like Pune, open.