Anganwadi wall collapse toll mounts to 7, govt seeks report

While Alisha Jena (5) died at SCB Medical College Hospital in Cuttack, three-year-old Pradumnya Pradhan succumbed at a private hospital here today.

"Collectors have been directed to submit report on safety of anganwadi centres by July 13," said Women and Child Development secretary Arati Ahuja adding the authorities were also told to shift centres if they are being run from unsafe premises.

Chief Secretary B K Patnaik said that "safety of all the schools and anganwadi centres would be inspected."

The wall of a room of the Anganwadi centre operating in Nelia Upper Primary School campus at Suansia Sahi village collapsed yesterday when 11 children were inside it along with three adults - a cook, a helper and the mother of a child.

The state government had suspended the headmistress of Nelia Upper Primary School and issued showcause notice to two anganwadi workers for not informing the authorities about the poor condition of the classroom.

A delegation of the Odisha Anganwadi Workers and Helpers Association today met Ahuja and demanded immediate withdrawal of suspension of two Anganwadi Workers.

It said claimed the anganwadi workers had informed the headmistress about the condition of the class room.