New Anganwadi Centres to Boost Child Welfare in Darrang and Udalguri
Expansion of Anganwadi Centres
Review meeting of the progress of ongoing Anganwadi Centre construction works on Sunday in Udalguri (Photo: @AjantaNeog/X)
Mangaldai, Sept 6: A total of 257 new Anganwadi centres are set to be established in Darrang and Udalguri in the upcoming months. The plan includes the completion of 105 centres in Darrang before the Durga Puja festival in October, and an additional 152 centres in Udalguri by November.
During a departmental review meeting held on Saturday, Women and Child Development and Tourism Minister Ajanta Neog emphasized the importance of expediting construction and effectively utilizing government funds in these NITI Aayog aspirational districts.
In her address at the meeting in Mangaldai, Neog urged officials to ensure that all 105 Anganwadi centres in Darrang are finished ahead of Durga Puja, highlighting the necessity of adhering to project timelines.
She described the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) as a mission focused on the welfare of children, mothers, and communities, and called for enhanced collaboration among the Education, Health, and Women and Child Development departments.
The minister also instructed officials to prepare for initiatives like Poshan Abhiyaan and Angan Ka Utsav, while intensifying awareness campaigns against issues such as child marriage, drug abuse, and trafficking.
At a subsequent meeting in Udalguri, Neog reiterated the goal of completing 152 Anganwadi centres by November, insisting that these facilities should be appealing and child-friendly, and urged strict adherence to deadlines.
She directed the District Commissioner to assign officials to oversee construction in instances where local committees do not cooperate.
“Development alone is not sufficient; we must accelerate the process,” the minister remarked.
Neog also highlighted the importance of ensuring proper nutrition for pregnant women and children attending Anganwadi centres, advocating for awareness campaigns under the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao initiative to combat trafficking, crimes against women, and child marriage.
Stressing the prudent use of government funds, Neog stated that balanced development in the Bodoland Territorial Region, alongside the rest of Assam, necessitates effective resource management.
These review meetings were conducted to expedite development efforts and enhance the delivery of women and child welfare programs in these aspirational districts.