New Anganwadi Centres to Enhance 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 festivities in October, with an additional 152 centres in Udalguri expected to be finished by November.
During a departmental review meeting held on Saturday, Women and Child Development and Tourism Minister Ajanta Neog emphasized the importance of meeting these deadlines and urged officials to expedite construction efforts while ensuring the effective use of government funds.
At the meeting in Mangaldai, Neog instructed officials to ensure that all 105 Anganwadi centres in Darrang are completed prior to 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, advocating for enhanced collaboration among the Education, Health, and Women and Child Development departments.
Additionally, the minister called for preparations for Poshan Abhiyaan and Angan Ka Utsav, while intensifying awareness initiatives against child marriage, drug abuse, and trafficking.
In a subsequent meeting in Udalguri, Neog directed officials to ensure the completion of 152 Anganwadi centres by November, insisting that these centres be designed to be appealing and child-friendly, with strict adherence to deadlines.
She also instructed 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 further highlighted the importance of providing adequate nutrition for pregnant women and children attending Anganwadi centres, and called 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 resources, Neog noted that balanced development in the Bodoland Territorial Region, alongside the rest of Assam, necessitates effective resource management.
The review meetings aimed to expedite development initiatives and enhance the delivery of women and child welfare programs in these two aspirational districts.