Corruption Allegations Emerge in Anganwadi Centre Repairs in Raha
Serious Corruption Claims in ICDS Project
Locals and officials at the ICDS Project office have alleged that the contractors carried out substandard work (Photo-AT)
Raha, July 7: Allegations of significant corruption have emerged regarding the renovation of Anganwadi centres under the Pakhimoria Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Project within the Raha Legislative Assembly area.
Reports indicate that the project initially included 256 Anganwadi centres. However, due to a decrease in child enrollment over the years, 130 centres were consolidated, leaving a total of 126 centres currently operational.
The core issue revolves around repair work approved for 2026, where the social welfare department allocated Rs 3 lakh for the refurbishment of 46 centres. Following government guidelines, four to five contractors from Nagaon district were entrusted with the task. Nonetheless, both locals and officials at the ICDS Project office have claimed that the contractors executed subpar work while fully utilizing the allocated Rs 3 lakh for each centre.
Residents reported that the centre situated in front of the Pakhimoria ICDS Project office at Deodhar Chariali received Rs 3 lakh for repairs. Allegedly, the contractor replaced old tin sheets with inferior quality ones. Additionally, sand and cement were applied over the existing floor, and low-grade plastering was performed. The plaster applied in March has already begun to peel off within three months. Furthermore, the contractor reportedly applied a single coat of inexpensive lime-powder paint both inside and outside the building to finalize the work.
Despite repeated requests from Anganwadi workers, the contractor neglected to plaster the upper sections of the walls where it was necessary. Alarmingly, new tin sheets were affixed directly over the old, rusted sheets.
Similar grievances have been reported from the Pakhimoria Mahila Samiti centre, where significant cracks in the walls remain unaddressed. The contractor allegedly utilized low-quality tin sheets and lime paint to finish the job. One hinge of the main door was broken, but the contractor attributed it to a 'fund shortage' and did not replace it.
Residents assert that although the department mandated proper repair work at each centre, the contractor responsible for the Deodhar circle area only utilized a fraction of the Rs 3 lakh per centre, misappropriating the remaining funds.
The repair work conducted across six areas under the project – Pakhimoria, Dakarghat, Bhotaipathori, Dakshinpat, Tulshimukh, and Deodhar – involved five contractors and encompassed a total of 46 centres. Allegations of substandard work have surfaced at all sites, with the Deodhar circle's work being highlighted as the most deficient in quality and suspected fund misappropriation.
Residents further claim that in numerous centres, work was falsely reported as completed, allowing contractors to withdraw the full amount of funds allocated under the scheme.
“At the block level, the block development office (BDO) engineer is primarily responsible for overseeing the repair funds. How did the engineer issue completion certificates for work that was not finished?” locals questioned.
They also inquired how full payments were made to contractors who allegedly spent only Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000 out of the Rs 3 lakh allocated per centre.
Local residents are urging Nagaon district commissioner Devashish Sharma to initiate an immediate investigation into the situation and take legal action against the contractors involved.
The allegations have raised serious concerns regarding the oversight of government initiatives aimed at child welfare and the accountability of supervising officials in maintaining quality and transparency.
By- DIBYA J BORTHAKUR