Allegations of salary delays, administrative irregularities, and prolonged absence of officials have triggered growing unrest among ICDS employees and Anganwadi workers under the Khowai Block ICDS Project in Tripura, raising serious concerns over governance and welfare services.
Fresh allegations of administrative disorder and severe irregularities have emerged from the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Project office under Khowai Block in Tripura, triggering dissatisfaction among employees, Anganwadi workers, and beneficiaries linked to several welfare schemes.
According to sources associated with the department, at least two supervisors working under the Khowai Block ICDS Project have reportedly not received their salaries since March this year. The salary for March was reportedly scheduled to be credited on April 1, while April’s payment was expected on May 1. However, even after May 9, the employees allegedly remain unpaid, creating frustration within the department.
The allegations have also brought the functioning of the Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) under scrutiny. Employees and field-level workers claimed that the officer remains absent from the office on most working days and allegedly travels daily from Agartala instead of staying near the assigned workplace in accordance with government service norms.
Sources further alleged that the officer generally reaches the office only during afternoon hours despite official working hours beginning at 10 am. The alleged irregular attendance has reportedly caused significant inconvenience to Anganwadi workers, helpers, and beneficiaries who visit the office regularly for official matters.
Several Anganwadi workers and helpers claimed that they are often forced to wait for hours without being able to meet the concerned officer. In many cases, workers reportedly return without completing official procedures due to the absence of the required approvals and signatures.
Local residents visiting the ICDS office for matters related to social welfare schemes, pensions, and other government assistance programmes have also reportedly faced difficulties. Many beneficiaries allegedly remain unable to access timely services because of the administrative delays.
The alleged absenteeism of the officer is also said to have affected the functioning of multiple Anganwadi centres operating under the Khowai ICDS Project. Beneficiaries, frustrated over delays in services and documentation, often express their anger towards Anganwadi workers and helpers, who remain the only accessible representatives of the department at the grassroots level.
Further complaints suggest that inspections at Anganwadi centres are rarely conducted by the concerned officer. Several official files are reportedly lying pending for days due to the lack of necessary signatures and approvals. Clerical staff allegedly struggle to process important documentation in the absence of administrative clearance, resulting in delays in departmental work and public services.
Questions are now being raised regarding the response of the district authorities under the Social Welfare and Social Education Department. Despite repeated complaints from employees and local stakeholders, no visible administrative action has reportedly been taken so far against the accused official.
Meanwhile, dissatisfaction within the ICDS system appears to be growing beyond Khowai Block. Reports have also surfaced that a supervisor under the ICDS Tulasikhar Block Project has similarly not received salary payments since March, intensifying concerns among employees over administrative functioning and financial management within the department.
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The allegations have sparked demands for an immediate inquiry into the functioning of the ICDS projects in the district and prompt resolution of pending salary issues to ensure uninterrupted welfare services for beneficiaries.
