Latest news with #AWCs
News18
4 days ago
- Politics
- News18
MP urges Centre to improve infrastructure of Anganwadi centres in Sikkim
Gangtok, Aug 7 (PTI) Sikkim Lok Sabha MP Indra Hang Subba has urged the Centre for immediate steps to improve the infrastructure of Anganwadi centres (AWCs) in rural, tribal and high altitude regions of the Himalayan state. A statement from the MP's office said on Thursday that Subba, in a representation to Union Minister of State for Women and Child Development, Savitra Thakur, has underscored the pivotal role Anganwadi Centres play under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme—delivering early childhood education, nutrition, and maternal health support. However, he said, many AWCs across the country, especially in geographically challenging areas like Sikkim, continue to function from temporary or substandard structures that lack essential facilities such as child-friendly classrooms, safe kitchens, functional toilets, and secure boundary walls. The lone Lok Sabha MP from Sikkim expressed concern over the inadequacy of the current unit cost norms for AWC construction. He said that the existing budget allocations are insufficient to build durable, climate-resilient structures in hilly terrains due to significantly higher construction and transportation costs and limited working seasons. Subba emphasised the urgent need to revise unit cost norms to enable quality infrastructure development that meets the needs of children and Anganwadi workers, the statement said. The MP has urged for increasing unit cost allocations for construction in hilly and Himalayan states like Sikkim to reflect cost inflation and address logistical difficulties. He also asked for prioritising permanent infrastructure in rural and remote areas where AWCs still operate in makeshift or rented facilities and design flexibility to accommodate local geo-climatic conditions and include child-centric, weather-insulated infrastructure. PTI COR RG view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hindustan Times
25-07-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
10,868 Anganwadi centres functioned less than 20 pc of working days in June 2025: Govt
New Delhi, More than 10,800 Anganwadi centres across India functioned for less than 20 per cent of working days in June 2025, while over 12.7 lakh centres were reported to have functioned for at least 80 per cent of working days in the same month, according to government data. 10,868 Anganwadi centres functioned less than 20 pc of working days in June 2025: Govt According to data from the Poshan Tracker cited in a written response in Lok Sabha by Minister of State for Women and Child Development, Savitri Thakur, 10,868 Anganwadi centres were open for less than one-fifth of the working days in June 2025. The situation showed improvement when compared to June 2024, when 29,830 centres, which is almost three times as many, were found to be open for less than 20 per cent of the working days. States with the highest number of poorly functioning centres in June 2025 included Uttar Pradesh , Bihar , Arunachal Pradesh , and Manipur . In contrast, states like Goa, Delhi and the Union territory of Chandigarh had fewer than five such centres, while UTs such as Lakshadweep and Dadra and Nagar Haveli–Daman and Diu reported none. The minister also shared data on infrastructure access. As of June 2025, around 12.7 lakh AWCs had drinking water facilities, but only 8.4 lakh had piped water connections. Approximately 10.6 lakh had functional toilets, while about 9.3 lakh had operational kitchen sheds, and just under 9 lakh had permanent electricity connection. Responding to another query, Thakur said during the 15th finance cycle, i.e., up to FY 2025-26, a total of 17,000 Aganwadi-cum-creches have been envisioned for establishment under the Palna Scheme. 'Proposals for establishment of AWCCs are received from the respective state governments/UT administrations, which also contribute their corresponding share for the implementation of the scheme. 'Till date, 14,599 AWCCs have been approved by the ministry as per proposals received from various states/UTs,' Thakur said in a written response. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
The Print
04-07-2025
- Health
- The Print
Revamp anganwadi model for Viksit Bharat. Workers should be seen as frontline educators
Since this launch, ICDS boasts a robust framework that enables it to adapt and evolve meaningfully in the future. Its evolution to currently Saksham Anganwadi & Poshan 2.0, combines schemes Poshan Abhiyaan, Scheme for Adolescent Girls, and Poshan Bhi, Padhai Bhi, emphasising holistic development and real-time monitoring. Today, all AWCs and over 101 million beneficiaries are registered on the Poshan Tracker, enabling real Integrated Child Development Services Scheme – the Anganwadi Services Scheme was launched in 1975 as an innovative experiment to address maternal and child health, nutrition, and early childhood development. Aligned with the objectives to improve children's health, nutrition, and development, reduce mortality, morbidity, and dropout rates, and empower mothers through counselling, the ICDS framework is designed to nurture holistic development. Through a lifecycle approach, it targets children aged 0-6 years, pregnant and lactating mothers, and adolescent girls, delivering supplementary nutrition, immunisations, health check-ups, non-formal preschool education, and nutrition counselling. Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) are the focal points for delivering ICDS services, and Anganwadi workers (AWWs) and helpers are the fulcrum of rendering these vital services through AWCs and home visits. Today, through a strong network of more than 1.4 million Anganwadi centres (AWCs) covering 100 million particularly vulnerable mothers and children, ICDS has emerged as the largest service delivery program for mother care and child development. As ICDS celebrates 50 years this year, it presents a valuable opportunity to celebrate its achievements, reflect on the gaps and challenges, and propose a way forward to align with the futuristic needs of Viksit Bharat. Over the years, ICDS has played a crucial role in equitably addressing malnutrition, early childhood care, and maternal health across India. India is moving in the right direction toward achieving the SDG 2030 targets for maternal and child mortality. Research has demonstrated that early childhood interventions targeting nutrition, education, and health can substantially enhance human capital, especially in developing countries. An IFPRI study published in the Bulletin of the World Health Organisation highlighted improvements in both equity and coverage of ICDS from 2006 to 2016, with increased service utilisation (58 per cent to 71 per cent), especially among Scheduled Castes and Tribes. Another study examining the linkages between utilisation of ICDS and underweight among children aged 6-59 months from 2015-16 to 2019-21, attributed improvements in ICDS utilisation to 9-12 per cent of the observed reduction in underweight children. A peer-reviewed study in The University of Chicago Press Journals found that children who were exposed to ICDS during the first three years of life completed 0.1-0.3 more grades of schooling than those who were not. As India advances towards Viksit Bharat, ICDS must not only strengthen its existing interventions but also embrace transformative paradigm shifts to effectively address emerging challenges, harness new opportunities, and align with the evolving aspirations of society. Firstly, the pace of improvement in nutrition needs to be accelerated. Malnutrition rates remain high—stunting among children under five is 36 per cent, underweight at 32.1 per cent, and anaemia prevalence at 67 per cent, especially in comparison to global benchmarks. Sub-optimal Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices, where only 42 per cent of infants are breastfed within the first hour, and only 11 per cent of children aged 6–23 months receive an adequate diet. Anaemia among pregnant women (52 per cent), children (67 per cent), and women of reproductive age (57 per cent) is a public health emergency. National Achievement Survey, 2021 indicates significant learning losses among children as they progress in school, as there is a secular decline in their performance in higher classes. Over 80 per cent of the brain development occurs before the child is three years old, and 85-90 per cent by 6 years of age. This early learning deficit highlights the need for improved foundational care during 0-6 years, especially among children under 3 years, with a focus on early stimulation and cognitive skills and development through parental engagement and improved Anganwadi workers' capacities. Adolescents—recognised as a second window of opportunity—face challenges such as unmet mental health needs (7.3 per cent) and early childbearing (6.8 per cent of girls aged 15–19), demanding a more holistic approach. An intensified focus on the first 1,000 days—from preconception through the first two years is critical. This period lays the foundation for lifelong health, learning, and productivity through optimal nutrition with a focus on local balanced diets within family budget, stimulation, and care. Viksit Bharat can only be realised when women-led development takes centre stage. Although female labour force participation (FLFP) is 47 per cent, caregiving responsibilities disproportionately affect women—53 per cent citing it as a barrier to employment, compared to just 1.1 per cent of men. ICDS must represent a paradigm shift and be strategically leveraged to empower women and enable them to join the workforce. Currently, only 5 per cent of AWCs are being converted under the Palna Scheme or AWC-cum-creches, necessitating their expansion. Some states like Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Delhi have extended AWC hours to support working women. There is a need to develop diverse creche models that are high-quality, safe, accredited creches, aligned to the workplace, with trained, fairly compensated staff, tailored to urban and rural settings. Promising models include Haryana's pioneering creche policy, Odisha's community-run creches, Karnataka's model of convergence with MNREGA and Panchayati Raj, MSME-cluster-based workplace creches, and incentivising women entrepreneurs to run subsidised childcare services. Critically, ICDS must move beyond mother-centric models to promote shared caregiving, using gender-sensitive and culturally relevant messaging to shift norms. ICDS was designed predominantly with a rural focus. However, with 26 per cent of India's 0–6 population in urban areas, projected to reach 50 per cent by 2047, redesigning it to focus and expand in urban areas is a national priority. Currently, only 10 per cent of AWCs are located in urban areas, and their utilisation remains low. While urban settings pose infrastructural challenges, they also offer opportunities: the presence of private actors, CSR engagement, NGOs, greater awareness, and better connectivity. ICDS can leverage these strengths to develop diverse and flexible models. Strengthening institutional capacity within Urban Local Bodies and partnering with Smart Cities initiatives can attract investments and improve service efficiency. Mobile Anganwadis, telehealth consultations, childcare centres using hub and-spoke models and fee-based structures should be explored. Technology is a powerful enabler across ICDS operations—from monitoring to outreach. There is a huge opportunity to deploy artificial intelligence and blended tech-touch models to predict high-risk children and send alerts; analyse meal composition and facilitating nutritional support; optimise AWC placements based on projected population trends, provide personalised and tailored AWW and caregiver training, adapting to their individual needs; and generate personalised multimedia content for improving outreach, service delivery and learning outcomes. Pilots in Aurangabad, Gujarat, and Kerala show promising results. Further, AWCs must be made aspirational spaces that promote learning and well-being. Infrastructure upgrades, ICDS scorecards based on performance metrics, can drive healthy competition, fostering improvement. Linking every AWC to primary schools and integrating platforms like the Poshan Tracker with UDISE can ensure a lifecycle approach and continuity among children. Community engagement through community fairs, technology, as seen in Maharashtra's Aarambh model, will encourage parents, especially fathers and grandparents participation and enable ICDS to become a household name. Strategic Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) must be prioritised, identifying key behaviours at centre, state, and household levels, with measurable KPIs set for 2047. Finally, AWW training should be linked to structured career progression pathways, enabling recognition and positioning them as frontline educators. ICDS is not just a program—it is a cornerstone of India's human development framework. It aligns with constitutional mandates (Article 45), the Sustainable Development Goals, and the National Education Policy 2020. Given the resources, the efforts made through the ICDS have been tremendous. However, there is scope for improvement going forward. As India stands at this transformative crossroads, strengthening ICDS is not just a policy imperative but a moral one. Unlocking its full potential will enable India to harness its demographic dividend and build a Viksit Bharat—where every child, every woman, and every family thrives in an equitable, empowered society. Rajib Kumar Sen is Programme Director, NITI Aayog, and Vedeika Shekhar is Consultant, NITI Aayog. Views are personal. (Edited by Theres Sudeep)
Time of India
19-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
No. of anganwadi beneficiaries up after smartphone integration
1 2 Ranchi: The state reported a rise in the number of beneficiaries availing services through anganwadi centres (AWCs) after the integration of smartphones into grassroots service delivery. Ready-to-eat takehome rations (THR) are being distributed among around 1,74,036 pregnant women, 1,28,795 lactating mothers, and 12,05,382 kids, aged between 6 months and 3 years. Also, 14,50,505 children in the age group of three to six years are receiving fresh cooked meals at the AWCs. The state has ensured the provision of eggs to every child to improve the nutritional value of these meals. The director of women and child development department, Kiran Pasi, said, "The move has enabled anganwadi sevikas to connect with beneficiaries better, digitise records, and streamline the distribution of essential services. The digital shift has improved the delivery of nutrition and early childhood care." Officials said Aadhaar verification and face authentication have been made mandatory to ensure that the services reach the intended beneficiaries. With mobile technology, the Aadhaar verification rate reported a steep rise from 48.03% in March 2023 to 97.22% in March 2025. The state has 30,11,829 Aadhaar-verified beneficiaries across 38,523 AWCs. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo The govt has identified over 1,200 tribal-dominant villages to establish new anganwadi centres. "Sevikas now use smartphones to access govt portals for real-time updates, track immunisation schedules, share health and nutrition content, and hold video consultations. The tools have improved service delivery, especially in remote rural areas, while fostering stronger engagement between sevikas and local communities," Pasi stated. A lactating mother from Barharwa block under Sahibganj district, Punam Devi, said, "I received THR through Aadhaar verification and face recognition. This made the process smooth and transparent, ensuring that I received the nutrition support meant for me and my child."
New Indian Express
05-06-2025
- General
- New Indian Express
Andhra government launches clean cooking drive at AWCs
VIJAYAWADA: In a major push for clean energy and women's welfare, the Andhra Pradesh government has initiated the distribution of energy-efficient induction cooktops and compatible utensils to 11,400 Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) across the state as part of the first phase of a statewide green initiative. The project, led by the Department of Women and Child Welfare, is aligned with the Union Government's 'Go Electric' campaign and the National Efficient Cooking Programme (NECP), spearheaded by the Ministry of Power, Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), and Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL). The official launch will take place on Thursday, June 5, in Vijayawada to mark World Environment Day. Minister for Women, Child Welfare and Tribal Welfare, G Sandhya Rani and others will formally inaugurate the programme.
