The State Women and Child Development Department has directed district collectors to get building and other equipment of Anganwadi centres (AWCs) verified by responsible officers.
In a letter to district Collectors, Additional Secretary to Odisha government Nityananda Barik said that the State is planning to open the AWCs 'considering that COVID is on the wane now'.
"However, since these centres were not operational for the last two years, the condition of the buildings and other equipment in these centres needs to be verified by responsible officers for reopening," said Barik.
He further said that the verification of the centres should be done by responsible officers and directed to furnish report on preparedness by February 16 to open the AWCs across the state.
The Odisha government had in March 2020 announced the closure of all Anganwadi centres in view of the Covid-19 outbreak.
AWCs provides basic health care and it is a part of the Indian public healthcare system. Pre-school children in 3 -6 years age group attend AWCs for nutrition and Early Childhood Care & Education (ECCE).
Later, in January 2021, the State government had allowed the reopening of Anganwadi centres with gatherings of up to 500 people while strictly adhering to the Covid-19 guidelines.