Daijiworld Media Network – Puttur (SP)

Puttur, Nov 14: The department of women and child welfare in the taluk was asked on Friday November 13, to initiate steps against an anganwadi worker, who was allegedly involved with the sale of a child born to an unmarried woman from Koovettila in Kabaka village.

MLA Mallika Prasad, who presided over the meeting, raised the topic and sought explanation on the said episode appearing in a section of the media. Taluk child development project officer (CDPO), Gangadhar, revealed that the anganwadi worker in question had informed him on August 30, that Saraswati, a woman from Koovettila, had given birth to a baby girl, and that the mother was not willing to raise the child. “I advised her to hand over the child to Child Welfare Committee. After I came to know about the incident, a police complaint was filed. The matter is under investigation,” he explained.

Zilla panchayat member Asha Timmappa criticized the officer for not handling the issue with the seriousness it deserves. Taluk panchayat standing committee chairperson, Pulasya Rai, also questioned him about the steps initiated by the department. Gangadhar informed that the anganwadi worker had been sent on leave.

Various topics like bad roads in the taluk also came up for discussions. When the department officer said that two junior engineers had been suspended for failing to ensure quality in executing road works, the members questioned as to whether suspension will improve the condition of the roads. The zilla panchayat engineer then said that the contractors have been instructed to maintain quality while executing the works.

The meeting also decided to insist for fixation of support price for areca. MLA Mallika Prasad promised to pursue the matter with the government.

Taluk panchayat president, Savri Shivaram, vice-president, Radhakrishna Borkar, taluk panchayat executive officer, Y Shivaramaiah and others were present.