150 Anganwadi Workers in Bulandshahr Set for Termination Over THR Distribution Failures
In a significant development from Bulandshahr district, as many as 150 Anganwadi workers, with a majority engaged in Special Intensive Revision (SIR) duties, are poised to face termination due to their failure to distribute Take Home Ration (THR) on schedule. This action, initiated in the Pahasu and Anupshahr blocks, underscores a strict enforcement of compliance with government nutrition protocols.
Official Stance on Non-Compliance with Nutrition Tracker Portal
District Programme Officer (DPO) Poonam Tiwari clarified that the termination stems from lapses in timely nutrition delivery, a core responsibility under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme. "An online dashboard review revealed zero FRS distributions from December 2025 to February 2026, directly violating government orders," Tiwari stated. She emphasized that the Child Development Services and Nutrition Department mandates supplementary nutrition distribution through the Nutrition Tracker portal's Facial Recognition System (FRS) to ensure transparency and timely service to beneficiaries at Anganwadi centres.
Anganwadi Workers' Defense: Overburdened and Under-Resourced
On the opposing side, the Anganwadi workers have voiced strong objections, claiming the termination is unjust. Savitri Chaudhary, representing the affected staff, explained, "We were directed to prioritize SIR work, leaving us unable to perform our core welfare tasks. We cannot handle multiple duties simultaneously and are severely overburdened." Additionally, workers highlighted practical challenges, noting that the mobile phones provided to them are outdated and incompatible with the new software required for FRS operations. "We often arrange phones on our own, yet we receive only Rs 6,000 per month, with frequent salary delays," Chaudhary added, painting a picture of systemic neglect.
Context and Implications for Bulandshahr's ICDS Framework
Bulandshahr district employs 3,927 Anganwadi workers, making this termination action a notable event within the local ICDS infrastructure. The move raises questions about resource allocation and workload management in public health initiatives. While authorities stress the importance of adhering to digital tracking for nutrition delivery, the workers' plight points to deeper issues of inadequate support and technological gaps. This incident may prompt a reevaluation of training, equipment provision, and duty prioritization to prevent similar conflicts in the future, ensuring that welfare schemes like ICDS function effectively without overstraining frontline staff.
