Administrative officials meet in Paradip on Saturday to finalise the childcare initiatives. Telegraph picture

Paradip, March 27: A total of 92 childcare centres that aim to provide nutritional support to children up to six years from impoverished parental background are expected to operate without permanent accommodation.

The local administration has resolved to open up these centres to carry out the infant nutritional back-up project from April 1. However, the port trust authorities have shied away from handing over land for the project.

Over 3,000 infants and tiny toddlers, mostly from the slum areas, are expected to benefit from the project.

Eighteen wards of the town are within the territorial jurisdiction of Paradip Municipality. They are also under the dual administrative control of both the municipality and the Paradip Port Trust (PPT). However, the PPT has the rights over landed property within the port limits.

“Till the PPT gives land for buildings’ construction, the centres would be housed in temporary accommodation. It’s up to the municipality councillors to decide the location of the centres. It could either be at a private building or at any youth club or self-help group,” said Sarojkanta Choudhury, additional district magistrate, Paradip. “We have requested the PPT to assist us in providing land,” Choudhury said.

“Under the Major Ports Act, the PPT is not legally empowered to hand over land for childcare projects. The port itself is facing land crunch for its expansion and modernisation programme. In fact, it has requested the state government for transfer of more revenue land for its future requirements,” said Pravat Kumar Nanda, secretary, PPT.

“We are focussing to popularise the centres in slum colonies as the children there are mostly hit by malnutrition. They need institutional support. The centres would operate in temporary accommodation provided by the slum residents,” said Sanjuktabala Behera, child development programme officer, Paradip.