'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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India cancel intra-squad match to prioritise net practice ahead of Border-Gavaskar Trophy
New Delhi (PTI): India have decided to cancel a planned three-day intra-squad match with the 'A' side during the upcoming Test tour of Australia as the team management wants to focus on additional net practice to prepare for the marquee five-match showdown starting November 22 in Perth.
India were scheduled to begin their tour of Australia with a closed-door warm-up match against the Ruturaj Gaikwad-led India A at the WACA in Perth from November 15 to 17. India A are currently in Australia for an unofficial Test series.
However, PTI has learnt that head coach Gautam Gambhir and some senior players want more time in the nets instead.
Rohit Sharma and his men will head to Australia after a shocking home series loss to New Zealand. Vying for a third straight Test series victory in Australia, the tourists will face added pressure, as a place in the World Test Championship final is also at stake.
It is understood that since the bounce of the WACA centre strip resembles that of the Perth Stadium track, all top order batters would prefer more time in the middle.
An intra squad match might not work in that scenario as if a batter gets out cheaply, then he might not immediately get a chance to bat again on the centre strip.
This marks a change from India's last two tours of Australia when the side played practice games ahead of the main series.
In the lead-up to the 2018-19 series, the 'Men in Blue' played a four-day match against Cricket Australia XI. For the 2020-21 tour, they started the red-ball leg with a three-day game against Australia A.
India A and the senior team played an intra-squad match in Johannesburg prior to the first Test against South Africa in Centurion on Boxing Day last year.
Despite the match, the Indian batting came short in the Test. It's not known whether the outcome of this experiment influenced their decision-making for the Australia series.
