Did not attend even though directed; Anganwadi employees asked to give in writing the reason for not participating in Nava Kerala Sadas 

MALAPPURAM: There is a complaint that anganwadi workers were asked for an explanation for not participating in the proclamation jatha of Nava Kerala Sadas. The ICDS supervisor sought an explanation from the anganwadi employees of Malappuram Ponmala Grama Panchayat.

The proclamation jatha related to Nava Kerala Sadas was organized at Ponmala Panchayat at 4 pm yesterday. Anganwadi employees were already directed to participate in the march compulsorily.

The supervisor has asked those who went home without participating in the jatha to give in writing the clear reason. The message was sent to the employees' WhatsApp group.
The new complaint has come at a time when many controversies are stoking in connection with the Nava Kerala Sadas. There was a controversy when the DYFIs beat the Youth Congress workers who came to wave black flags at the chief minister, the chief minister had justified it.

Bringing school children to greet the vehicle had also sparked public outrage. The court intervened in the matter and then the high court gave an interim order not to allow children to participate in the Nava Kerala Sadas. The chief minister also had to say that students should not be exposed to the sun for government programs.

There was also a dispute over donations from local bodies for the programme. Opposition leader V D Satheesan had earlier announced that the local bodies under the UDF would not provide funds. However, in defiance of this word, some local bodies of the opposition had given shares for the New Kerala Sadas. Bypassing the decision of the UDF ruling committee, allocating Rs 1 lakh to the municipal secretary of Nava Kerala Sadas in Satheesan's constituency, North Paravur, led to a clash. Konni Block Panchayat, the governing body of the UDF, had also allocated money to Nava Kerala Sadas.