The removal of the Anganwadi center from Dhanas Colony is condemned.

The removal of the Anganwadi center from Dhanas Colony is condemned. 

This is a blatant attack on the interests of women and children.

Chandigarh 30 December ( Ranjeet Singh Dhaliwal ) : The All India Democratic Women's Association, Chandigarh, strongly condemned the eviction of Anganwadi centers from the Housing Board houses in Dhanas Colony and the removal of essential supplies meant for the beneficiaries to other locations. In a press release issued after the meeting, Asha Rana, the head of the women's committee, criticized officials of the Social Welfare Department, particularly those of the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), stating that these officials are directly making decisions against the interests of the beneficiaries (women and children). She also mentioned that each Anganwadi center has between 70 and 100 beneficiaries. 

The Anganwadi workers and helpers perform tasks such as measuring the height and weight of pregnant women, providing vaccinations, distributing pre-school take-home rations, conducting AHC (Antenatal Care) and HB (Hemoglobin) checks, and making home visits. The closure of the centers will cause difficulties for these beneficiaries, and they will not receive the services they are entitled to on time, a matter that the department officials seem to be completely unconcerned about. They demanded that the social welfare department revoke its decision to vacate the centers and immediately pay the outstanding rent for the Anganwadi centers to the Housing Board. He further stated that closing the centers would also displace the Anganwadi workers and helpers working in these centers, and the beneficiaries would ultimately suffer the consequences. This decision by the Social Welfare Department has also caused widespread anger among the local residents.

Residents reported that only 45 out of the 60 upgraded centers are operational, and that there is a conspiracy to shut down 12 centers initially, followed by the gradual closure of the remaining centers, thereby depriving local beneficiaries of essential services. Local residents have warned that if the decision to close the centers is not reversed, they will stage a massive protest in front of the social welfare department, exposing the officials' actions and demanding immediate intervention from the administrator.