PUNE: Dozens of anganwadis in Pune's merged villages were left without electricity after Mahavitaran disconnected their connections over unpaid bills for at least two years.
These centres provide education and nutrition to children and support for mothers. They now work in darkness and staff and children endure sweltering heat in cramped, poorly ventilated rooms.
As many as 282 anganwadis in villages transferred from Pune Zilla Parishad (ZP) to Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) in April 2022. Some centres attached to schools managed to share the electricity connection, but standalone anganwadis were powerless.
A visit to an anganwadi in Bavdhan painted a grim picture. Children sat in stifling, asbestos-roofed rooms without fans or lights, while weeds and overgrowth outside pose a safety hazard.
"We avoid opening the windows out of fear of snakes and other reptiles. Last week, a snake was found outside. The lack of electricity leaves dark corners where it's hard to spot danger. Govt must clean the surroundings and restore power," an anganwadi worker said.
For Salma Shaikh, a construction worker whose five-year-old attends the anganwadi, the power cut just adds to their struggles. "My daughter would complain about the heat, thinking the teacher didn't want to turn on the fan. I later found out the electricity was cut off. Govt must provide electricity-it's basic."
Local activist Manish Deo from Bavdhan Citizens Forum said the electricity bills amount to just Rs300-400 per month. Yet, the children are in the dark. "Neither the PMC nor the state seems to know how many centres are affected. The children suffer," he added.
Officials were quick to deflect responsibility. Jamsing Girase, Pune zilla parishad women & child development officer, said, "We paid the electricity bills until the 282 anganwadis were transferred to the PMC in 2022. I don't know how many centres are without electricity now."
PMC has passed the responsibility to the state. Prithviraj BP, additional municipal commissioner, said, "The anganwadis were not officially handed over to us during the merger. They remain under the state govt's child development project officer, so paying their electricity bills is not PMC's responsibility. "
ICDS commissioner Kailas Pagare clarified that the scheme does not include provisions for electricity bills and local bodies must pay them as gram panchayats do in rural areas. They have a 5% budget allocation for women and child development schemes which could cover this.
"PMC may not know about this but we will coordinate with them. We will speak with the higher officials for a permanent solution for smoother functioning of anganwadis. We will also coordinate with local bodies immediately to ensure such problems don't recur," he added.
Activists and parents have urged immediate action to restore electricity. "These centres are lifelines for marginalised communities, providing critical support that goes far beyond education. There is an urgent need for accountability and resolution," Deo said.
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