Telangana Strengthens Local Leadership: Sarpanches Granted Vital Authority

The Telangana government has taken a significant step to enhance the efficiency of Anganwadi services at the village level. In a recent directive, the state has entrusted panchayat sarpanches with the responsibility of supervising Anganwadi centers. The primary aim of this move is to improve transparency in food distribution and service delivery, and to curb irregularities in the functioning of these centers.

Under the new system, a special committee will be set up in each village to monitor Anganwadi operations, chaired by the sarpanch. The committee will comprise 11 members, including the Anganwadi teacher as convener, an Auxiliary Nurse Midwife (ANM) , a school science teacher, a retired government employee, and mothers of young children. By involving representatives from all sections of the community, the government expects a significant improvement in service quality.

The committee will conduct monthly checks on the nutritional supplies provided to the centers, including rice, lentils, balamrutham (a protein-rich food), eggs, and milk. It will also ensure proper distribution of these supplies to beneficiaries. Additionally, meals provided under the Aarogya Lakshmi scheme for pregnant women and adolescent girls will be reviewed to guarantee that they receive the full intended benefits.

Government sources indicate that the absence of elected panchayat bodies in villages over the past two years led to lapses in Anganwadi oversight. Issues such as the irregular delivery of nutritious food to beneficiaries have surfaced in some areas, prompting the government to strengthen supervision through local representatives now that new panchayat bodies have been formed.

Addressing Oversight Gaps

The Telangana government believes that the lack of active panchayat oversight over the past two years weakened Anganwadi monitoring. However, no official statistics or reports have yet been released detailing the extent of irregularities, nor has there been any official declaration of large-scale corruption.

Nevertheless, complaints have emerged in some areas regarding the quality of food, distribution of spoiled eggs, and supply chain disruptions. While authorities conducted periodic inspections, the absence of daily village-level monitoring contributed to operational lapses. In response, the government aims to improve Anganwadi services by actively involving local representatives in supervision.

Through this initiative, the state seeks to ensure that children , pregnant women, and adolescent girls receive timely, high-quality nutritional support while enhancing the overall functioning of Anganwadi centers across Telangana.