The Kusina Mane scheme, launched by the State Government to provide employment opportunities for women and safe childcare for working mothers under the NREGA scheme, is facing allegations of underutilisation in Shirasi taluk. The scheme, which aimed to care for children between 7 months and 3 years of age, is struggling to attract beneficiaries.
The scheme’s nursing homes, started in five village panchayats, are facing a shortage of children, leading to locked facilities. Initially, 22 children were registered, but most centres are now empty. The rainy season has halted NREGA work, resulting in women not bringing their children to the centres. Caregivers are also hesitant to work due to delayed grant releases.
Labouring women face pressure in travelling long distances to drop off and pick up their babies from the centres. Yashodha Nayka, a labourer, highlighted the challenges, saying, “Women have to travel 2-3 km to drop off their babies and then return to work, only to come back to the centre to breastfeed. This is too much pressure, so they are not going to the centre.”
The Gram Panchayat has spent over ₹3 lakh on construction and equipment, but the underutilisation of the scheme may render this investment wasteful. Hutgara Gram Panchayat Vice President Shobha Nayka emphasised the need for financial security for caregivers and awareness creation to encourage beneficiaries to utilise the scheme.
Assistant Director Ramamurthy acknowledged the challenges, attributing the low turnout to excessive rain. He assured that efforts would be made to create awareness about the project and revitalise it.