KOLLAM: An Anganwadi in Ashtamudi faces a threat to its existence as LDF-led panchayat governing council allegedly refuses to utilise the local area development fund of the UDF MP. The sole Anganwadi in the remote village is in a dilapidated condition, and parents refuse to send their children demanding better infrastructure. Children had even spotted a snake inside the room of the Anganwadi in the Thrikkaruva panchayath built 25 years back. Seventeen children sit in the small room.
"The area is isolated with marshy land on all three sides, and the path to it is narrow," said S. Priya, panchayat member. Apart from all these, constructing a new building will not be permitted as per law in the land listed as a paddy field.
N.K. Premachandran MP had sanctioned Rs 10 lakh from the MP Fund, but the panchayat allegedly refused to utilise it.
"A new spot was identified in the compound housing ICDC sub-centre and Grama Seva Kendra. But the governing council refused it with a political motive," Ms Priya alleged. After spotting the snake, parents ceased sending their wards. They have also given requests to the panchayat to construct a building at the new spot but in vain.
