The Delhi government has directed senior officials to carry out a one-day inspection at all the Anganwadi centres in the Capital on Saturday. All Indian Administrative Services (IAS) and Delhi Andaman and Nicobar Island Civil Services (DANICS) officials in Delhi will have to be out on Saturday to check these Anganwadi centres.
The move comes after Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia made a surprise visit to one of the Anganwadi centres in East Delhi and found gross irregularities in its functioning.
According to the officials, around 800 government officers will be out on Saturday to carry out the inspection of at least, 1,600 Anganwadi centres in the Capital. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal described the move as a 'huge exercise' to overhaul the Anganwadi system in the city.
Sisodia has also written to Chief Secretary MM Kutty, directing him to ensure that every official inspects at least two Anganwadi centres each. "They will visit the homes of every child and pregnant women registered with the Anganwadi centres to check the records and submit their reports to the government," Sisodia said on Tuesday.
"Every officer should verify the addresses of students mentioned in the register. The centres to inspect will be decided by the government and not by these officials. A list will be given to them daily, and they will have to visit the centres accordingly," he added.
There are around 800 IAS, DANIC, and ad-hoc DANIC officials in the Delhi government.
Earlier this month on June 4, Sisodia had ordered termination of services of six officials of three Anganwadi centres in east Delhi after he found "gross irregularities" during an inspection. He had found that fake attendance records of children were being maintained at three Anganwadi centres. He had then appealed to the public to come forward and report any such irregularity at the Anganwadi centres.
Analysis
The move will ensure streamlining of the functioning of existing Anganwadi centres.
It will also be a reality check for the government regarding what needs to be improved at these centres.
