Anganwari centres allege bungling in medicine supply

Anganwari workers show the medicines supplied to them under the Integrated Child Development Scheme in Muktsar on Friday. Tribune photo

Tribune News Service

Muktsar, July 8

Local anganwari workers have demanded a probe into the recent supply of medicines under the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) by the Social Security Department, alleging that the quantity received by them was less than what was mentioned on the packing slips in the cartons.

The medicines were supplied in mid-June, while the anganwari centres reopened after the summer vacation on July 1.

Chhinderpal Kaur, district president, All Punjab Anganwari Employees’ Union, said, “When I opened a carton, I noticed that some of the medicines were missing. The slip mentioned 500 tablets of paracetamol, two packets of cotton and a 500-ml bottle of paracetamol syrup, but I found just 200 tablets of paracetamol, one packet of cotton and a 250-ml bottle of the syrup.”

She added, “There are seven anganwari centres in Thandewala village but none got the full supply of medicines. The anganwari centre at Chak Kala Singh Wala village also faced a similar problem.”

She said their union had lodged a complaint with the district social security office through their president, Hargobind Kaur, seeking a fair probe.

Naresh Kumar, District Social Security Officer, said, “The medicines were supplied by a Sangrur-based firm for one year to all anganwadi centres. These were purchased by the head office. If the supply was found short, we will seek the supplier’s explanation. The district office is not involved in the distribution of medicines.”

Courtesy: The Tribune