'Matru Poorna Scheme' sees a setback in DK
Alternative arrangement planned
- Schemes registers 26 % progress in April, 24 % in May and June
- Puerperal and pregnant women stay away from Anganwadis
Mangaluru, July 31: The much ambitious programme ‘Matru Poorna Scheme’ introduced by the previous Siddaramaiah government 10 months back to provide nutritious food to puerperal and pregnant women witnessed a setback in the Dakshina Kannada district.
The officials also apprised Woman and Child Welfare department Minister Dr Jayamala who visited the district recently about this situation. Following this, the department is mulling alternative arrangement. The scheme has recorded just 26 per cent progress in April and 24 per cent in May and June. The main reason for this setback is because the puerperal and pregnant women have kept themselves away from Anganwadi centres, self respect issue and others.
Before introducing the scheme, the family members of puerperal and pregnant women used to go to Anganwadi centres and bring nutritious food by signing in the registers. As there was an allegation that the food items were being misused, the government had issued an order to have the food in Anganwadi centres. But the government authorities have failed to provide required facilities. In spite of various problems, Anganwadi workers were cooking food due to the fear of losing their jobs. But the beneficiaries did not respond to the scheme positively due to which, the scheme has witnessed a setback.
The department has the target of providing food to 12,762 pregnant women and 12,126 puerperal women in the district. In April, only 1,814 (14%) pregnant women and 1,495 (12%) puerperal women turned out to the anganwadi centres and had food. But in May, the number of pregnant women reduced to 1,561 (12%) and puerperal women to 1,309 (11%) and in June, 1,511 (12%) pregnant women and 1,313 (11%) puerperal women got the benefit.
When the scheme was launched on October 2, 2017, total 29,468 beneficiaries including 14,294 pregnant women were identified in the district and it was implemented in 2,104 anganwadis across the district. The department had strictly directed the anganwadi workers and assistants to have food with the beneficiaries. In 2018, the target was fixed for 29,076 beneficiaries including 12,762 pregnant women, 12,126 puerperal women, 2,104 anganwadi workers and 2,084 anganwadi assistants in the district. In order to implement the scheme effectively, the government had announced Rs 500 and Rs 250 additional honorarium for Anganwadi workers and assistants respectively. Interestingly around 98 per cent anganwadi workers and assistants responded to this scheme. But as the beneficiaries have not shown the interest, the programme has received poor response.
Food being provided under scheme
- Lunch will have rice, sambar, saagu, boiled egg, milk and chikki prepared out of groundnut and jaggery. Beneficiaries will get food 25 days a month and 300 days a year. For vegetarians, sprouts will be provided. This would ensure minimum 40-45% nutritions including protein, calcium and others.
- Gruel and chutney will be provided on Tuesday and Thursday. Remaining days will have rice and sambar.
- Along with food, iron tablets and iodine-rich salt will also be provided to pregnant women.
“Minister Dr Jayamala was apprised of the problem being faced by the scheme in the district. Discussions were being held to make alternative arrangement in the district”.
- Sundara Poojary, Deputy Director, Woman and Child Welfare Department
“This scheme is not suitable for this environment. Because the self respect of pregnant and puerperal women come on their way to go to Anganwadi centres to have food whether their houses are near or far away from the centres. Moreover, they find it difficult to reach the centres on time. It is better to change the scheme at least for the Dakshina Kannada district”.
- Hasina Mangaluru, Home Maker
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Another North Goa nightclub sealed; Kejriwal says corruption led to fire tragedy
Panaji (PTI): As part of a crackdown against tourist establishments violating laws and safety norms in the aftermath of the Arpora fire tragedy, Goa authorities on Saturday sealed a renowned club at Vagator and revoked the fire department NOC of another club.
Cafe CO2 Goa, located on a cliff overlooking the Arabian Sea at Vagator beach in North Goa, was sealed. The move came two days after Goya Club, also in Vagator, was shut down for alleged violations of rules.
Elsewhere, campaigning for local body polls, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal said the fire incident at Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub at Arpora, which claimed 25 lives on December 6, happened because the BJP government in the state was corrupt.
An inspection of Cafe CO2 Goa by a state government-appointed team revealed that the establishment, with a seating capacity of 250, did not possess a no-objection certificate (NOC) of the Fire and Emergency Services Department. The club, which sits atop Ozrant Cliff, also did not have structural stability, the team found.
The Fire and Emergency Services on Saturday also revoked the NOC issued to Diaz Pool Club and Bar at Anjuna as the fire extinguishers installed in the establishment were found to be inadequate, said divisional fire officer Shripad Gawas.
A notice was issued to Nitin Wadhwa, the partner of the club, he said in the order.
Campaigning at Chimbel village near Panaji in support of his party's Zilla Panchayat election candidate, Aam Aadmi Party leader Kejriwal said the nightclub fire at Arpora happened because of the "corruption of the Pramod Sawant-led state government."
"Why this fire incident happened? I read in the newspapers that the nightclub had no occupancy certificate, no building licence, no excise licence, no construction licence or trade licence. The entire club was illegal but still it was going on," he said.
"How could it go on? Couldn't Pramod Sawant or anyone else see it? I was told that hafta (bribe) was being paid," the former Delhi chief minister said.
A person can not work without bribing officials in the coastal state, Kejriwal said, alleging that officers, MLAs and even ministers are accepting bribes.
