Anganwadi workers at a Public Health Centre in Madhya Pradesh's Shivpuri district were found cooking midday meals for children inside a toilet. What is more shocking that a state minister has come to their defence, saying that food can be cooked inside a toilet, provided there is a partition.
The toilet that doubled as a kitchen had both an LPG cylinder and an earthen stove installed for preparing food. Some cooking utensils were also found tacked over the toilet seat.
State Women and Child Development Minister Imarti Devi said that if there is a partition in a toilet, it can be used to cook food.
"You should understand that a partition exists there. These days even in our homes we have attached latrine-bathroom. What if our relatives refuse to eat in our house, saying that we have attached latrine-bathroom?" ANI quoted Imarti Devi as saying.
"Utensils can be kept on the bathroom seat. We keep utensils in our houses also. The pot is unused and is filled with gravel," she added.
Anganwadi centres provide basic healthcare in villages, including contraceptive counselling and pre-school activities.
"A self-help group had taken control of the toilet and was using it as a temporary kitchen. Action is being taken against the Anganwadi supervisor and workers involved. Arrangements will be made for making a proper kitchen as soon as possible," Devendra Sundryal, District Officer of Women and Child Development programme, said.
(With ANI Inputs)
