Anganwadi worker assaulted in Odisha’s Bhadrak over SUBHADRA application form

An Anganwadi worker had to face the brunt of a few locals over the SUBHADRA application form at Brahmatikiri under the Chandbali block of Bhadrak district. The chaos ensued after the Anganwadi worker directed a few 'ineligible' applicants to return their application forms.

Instead of returning the forms, the accused manhandled and assaulted the Anganwadi worker. Tension gripped the village after Anganwadi workers staged protest alleging threats to their lives due to attacks over various reasons.

With high demand for SUBHADRA Yojana, applicants are flocking Anganwadi centres, post offices and Mo Seva Kendras to avail the benefit. However, the huge rush has led to chaos, fights and stampede-like situations.

“They are ineligible candidates, but had taken the SUBHADRA application form from the helper. When I asked them to return the form back, they attacked me and destroyed all the documents kept at the Anganwadi centre. They did not even spare the young kids,” alleged the Anganwadi worker Diptirekha Bal.

“They pushed away kids sitting inside the Anganwadi centre. They had taken the application form from my helper. But when I saw the record, I came to know that they were not eligible for SUBHADRA Yojana due to their age. They are not even 21 years of age, so I asked them to return the form so that another eligible person can benefit. However, they manhandled and assaulted me,” she added.

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When contacted, Bansada police station OIC Debraj Jena said, “We have received complaint against three persons. They assaulted the Anganwadi worker when she asked them to return the application form due to their ineligibility. Necessary action will be taken as per the law.”