Anganwadi workers seek holidays for children amid heatwave

Jaipur: With severe heatwave conditions prevailing across the state, anganwadi workers have demanded that holidays be declared for children aged 3 to 6 years enrolled at anganwadi centres. Around 16.89 lakh children are enrolled in nearly 63,000 anganwadi centres across the state.

The Akhil Rajasthan Mahila Evam Bal Vikas Sanyukt Karamchari Sangh has written to the chief minister, demanding the state govt declare holidays for anganwadi centres till June 30.

The association said that holidays till June 30 have already been declared for govt and private educational institutions across the state.

“Anganwadi centres enrol children aged 3 to 6 years, while schools enrol children above 6 years. Neighbouring states such as Haryana and Uttar Pradesh have already declared holidays for anganwadi children till June 30, and Rajasthan should make similar arrangements,” said the association.

The workers’ body suggested that during this period, nutritional supplements typically provided at the centres can be distributed to the children at their homes.

Founder of the association, Chhotelal Bunkar, said, “Children are anyway not able to reach anganwadi centres due to the heatwave, and many have gone to their relatives’ homes along with elder siblings as summer vacation has started for schools. Due to this, declaring holidays for children of anganwadi centres will give them relief.”