DW BUREAU / Chandigarh

The Punjab Government will construct 1419 Anganwadi centers to promote the holistic development of women and children. These centers will be established at a cost of Rs 200 crore and existing Anganwadi centers will be upgraded to improve their infrastructure. This announcement was made by Dr. Baljit Kaur, the Minister for Social Security, Women and Child Development.

During a press conference at Punjab Bhawan today, Cabinet Minister Dr. Baljit Kaur stated that the government is committed to the overall development of women and children across the state. The plan includes constructing new Anganwadi centers, upgrading existing ones, providing improved sanitation facilities, and equipping centers with furniture and other necessary amenities. She also mentioned that grafity will be done at these centers to enhance the development of children. Dr. Kaur emphasized that this initiative is not just about building structures but about creating a conducive environment for the physical, cognitive and emotional development of children.

The Minister informed that in the first phase of this project, 1000 Anganwadi centers are being constructed. Out of these, 56 have been completed and 644 are under construction. Additionally, work on 300 centers will begin soon, as approvals for 156 of these have already been granted.

Dr. Kaur further shared that apart from constructing new centers, the Punjab Government is upgrading 350 existing Anganwadi centers across the state. A budget of Rs 7 crore has been allocated for these upgrades, which will include enhanced facilities to better serve beneficiaries. The government aims to complete the upgrades promptly, demonstrating its commitment to improving basic infrastructure.

The Minister announced the construction of 2162 new toilets at Anganwadi centers, with Rs 7.78 crore allocated for the purpose. Furthermore, Rs 35.30 lakh has been earmarked to provide drinking water facilities at 353 centers.

Dr. Baljit Kaur highlighted that 100 Anganwadi centers in Moga and Ferozepur districts will be transformed into "Saksham Anganwadi Centers" with a total budget of Rs 94.80 lakh. These centers will feature upgraded infrastructure, RO units, LED lighting, furniture and Poshan Vatika.

She also noted that the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) program was launched in Punjab in 1975 from Block Nurpur Bedi in Rupnagar district and is nearing its 50th anniversary. For 21,851 Anganwadi centers in the state, Rs 21.85 crore has been allocated to purchase furniture.

Dr. Baljit Kaur reiterated that under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Punjab Government will continue its efforts to improve the basic infrastructure of Anganwadi centers in the current year. In response to a query, the Minister revealed that 3000 Anganwadi workers and helpers will be recruited soon. She also mentioned that last year, 5000 workers and helpers were recruited purely on a merit basis.

On this occasion, Deputy Directors of the Social Security, Women and Child Development Department, Sumandeep Kaur and Gulbahar Singh Toor were also present.

(editor@dailyworld.in)