Pune: Anganwadi Worker Sacked For Raising Alarm Over Poor-Quality Nutrition Food, Opposition Hits Out

Pune, 21st August 2026: An Anganwadi worker from Ambegaon taluka has been permanently removed from service by the Pune Zilla Parishad for allegedly violating social media guidelines and disobeying senior officials after she posted a video questioning the quality of nutrition food being served to children at her centre.

The Zilla Parishad, in an order issued on August 14, said Reshma Pardhi had acted against “office discipline” and disobeyed the orders of her superiors. The order cited her social media post in which she complained about the food supplied at the Anganwadi centre.

In the video, Pardhi claimed that the peas supplied as part of the nutrition meal remained uncooked even after being put through 10-12 whistles in a pressure cooker, leaving the workers with no option but to serve them to children.

After being removed from service, Pardhi posted another video defending her action. She said she had raised the issue out of concern for the children and had neither criticised the government nor used objectionable language against it.

“If I have done something wrong, issue me a notice. But I am raising a question about the food being served to my children, and you are issuing me a notice to remove me from service,” she said.

The Anganwadi Employees’ Association has opposed the action and demanded that the order be withdrawn. Association president Shubha Shamim said it was “shocking” that the worker who questioned the quality of the peas was removed instead of action being taken against those responsible for supplying poor-quality food.

NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar also criticised the action, calling it a “Tughlaq-like decision”. He said the government should investigate the supply of substandard nutrition food instead of acting against the worker who raised the issue. Pawar demanded that Pardhi’s removal be revoked and that those responsible for supplying poor-quality food be investigated within 10 days.

Shirur MP Amol Kolhe questioned the action, asking, “Why hang the innocent while letting the guilty go?” He said Pardhi’s action should have been appreciated as she had raised concerns over the health of children and alleged irregularities instead of being penalised.

“The action sends a message that anyone who raises their voice against corruption could face similar consequences,” Kolhe said.