Assam: Rs 25 lakh sanctioned, but Anganwadi projects in Kaliabor left half built

The Central Government’s Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS), aimed at ensuring early childhood education, nutrition, health awareness, and mental development for children aged 0–6 years, is facing serious credibility concerns in Assam’s Kaliabor subdivision.

Despite an allocation of Rs 25 lakh for each model Anganwadi centre, several centres in areas such as Phulguri Chang, Hatbor, Rohdhola, and Hatigaon Bagicha Panchayat remain incomplete even after nearly two years.

Field inspections reveal alarming lapses: many centres are without doors or windows, some lack toilets, others have unfinished flooring, unpainted walls, and missing ceiling boards. These incomplete facilities raise pressing doubts about the effective execution of the scheme.

What adds to the concern is the apparent inaction of the monitoring authorities, who, despite being aware of the state of these centres, have failed to intervene. The lack of accountability has deepened suspicions of fund misappropriation under the scheme.

Instead of serving as safe, well-equipped spaces for early childhood care and learning, the half-built Anganwadi centres in Kaliabor stand as stark symbols of neglect. Critics argue that the ICDS, envisioned as a flagship programme for children’s development, risks turning into a boomerang against its own objectives if urgent corrective measures are not taken.