IEP Chandigarh, July 18
The Punjab government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, is taking concrete steps to provide basic facilities at Anganwadi Centres in the state, ensuring the all-round development of children. Highlighting various schemes and programs of Anganwadi Centers, Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Dr. Baljit kaur, stated that the state government is continuously working to enhance the infrastructure of Anganwadi centres. She mentioned that Anganwadi centres offer services such as supplementary nutrition, vaccination, health education, health and nutrition education, referral services, and non-formal pre-school education for children aged 3-6 years, as well as for children up to 6 years of age, pregnant women, and lactating women. Cabinet minister mentioned that the department is collaborating with the Rural Development Department to renovate one thousand buildings of Anganwadi Centres, and with the Water Supply and Sanitation Department for the construction of toilets in these centres. She said to the District Program Officers and Child Development Project Officers to make special efforts to seek assistance from competent individuals and organizations in acquiring buildings for Anganwadi Centres, providing wall paintings, children’s furniture, toys, swings, and necessary equipment for pre-school education. Cabinet Minister appealed to the general public, welfare organizations, Panchayats, and NRI’s to contribute towards providing necessary items and facilities in the Anganwadi Centres across the state, there by ensuring the holistic development of children. Mrs. Madhvi Kataria, Director of the Social Security, Women and Child Development Department, stated that the department officials will select the best-performing Anganwadi Centres at the district level by August 7, 2023. Three Anganwadi Centres from the top-performing district will be chosen, and the Anganwadi workers, helpers, supervisors, and CDPO’s will be honored on August 15. The district program officers are instructed to submit their reports by August 10. Additionally, the entire staff of 10 Anganwadi centres at the state level will honored on August 15 through a live event on Facebook.
