Karwar: Due to the influence of private schools, the number of children at Anganwadi centres in the taluk is coming down, while a few Anganwadi centres have no children at all.

This information was revealed by Taluk Child Development Project Officer PH Naik, at the KDP progress review meeting held at the Taluk Panchayat hall here on Wednesday.

Admission to 10 Anganwadi centres in the taluk is zero, while two centres have only one child each.

The meeting should take a decision on whether such Anganwadi centres should be merged with nearby centres or Anganwadi workers and assistants should be deputed to fill up vacant posts, he noted.

In reply, Taluk Panchayat (TP) President Prameela Naik stated that a special meeting would be called to take a decision in this regard.

“Token system for public distribution system (PDS) is already in place at fair price shops in city limits, while it would be expanded to four Gram Panchayats this month,” said Food and Civil Supplies Department office SV Naik.

Token system would be expanded to all fair shops in the taluk next month. Tokens would be issued in each Gram Panchayat, while franchise would also be given to the interested, he noted.

TP member Purushottam Gowda lamented that ration under PDS is not being distributed throughout the month. He also expressed concern about poor facilities and maintenance in the hostels of the Social welfare Department.

Taluk Health Officer Suraja that a primary health centre has been sanctioned for Karwar urban area, and the city Municipal Council has been urged to provide the building.

TP President Prameela Naik instructed the TP in-charge executive officer Shrikanth Hegde to issue show cause notice to those officials who skip the meeting. Due to the absence of officials, important issues are not being discussed, she added.

TP Vice-President Ravindra Pawar, and others were present.