Rajganj, 16th July: Tension gripped Malibhita village of Shikarpur Gram Panchayat in Rajganj block as locals locked an Anganwadi worker inside the centre premises, protesting the absence of eggs and vegetables from the food menu.
According to the protestors, the Anganwadi centre has been neglecting to provide proper nutrition to children and pregnant women for an extended period. Complaints ranged from meals lacking vegetables when khichdi was served, to eggs being rationed and sometimes shared between two individuals.
The latest incident sparked outrage when only khichdi was served to pregnant women and children on Tuesday, without accompanying vegetables or eggs. In response, villagers confined the Anganwadi worker and initiated protests. Rajganj Police and officials from Belakoba Outpost intervened to pacify the situation through dialogue with both villagers and Anganwadi staff.
An Anganwadi worker attributed the shortage to the government’s halt on funding for eggs and vegetables over the past few months, with outstanding bills remaining unpaid. Villagers have submitted a memorandum demanding prompt settlement of these bills to restore full nutritional provisions at the centre.