Latest news with #PoshanVatikas
NDTV
19 hours ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Centre Directs States, Union Territories To Audit And Repair Unsafe School Buildings
To ensure the safety of children and all school stakeholders, the Central government has directed all states and Union Territories to conduct an immediate assessment of all government, government-aided, and private school buildings. The exercise will focus on identifying unused or dilapidated structures through safety audits in line with national guidelines. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan informed the Lok Sabha on Monday that, as per the August 7 directive, authorities have been instructed to demolish or repair unsafe structures and ensure they are not used until certified as safe by competent engineers. Responding to a question from MP Alok Kumar Suman, Mr Pradhan said that states have been advised to make temporary arrangements for the continuation of classes where demolition or major repairs are required. The freed-up spaces may be repurposed for activities such as playgrounds, nutrition gardens, or skill-based training for students. The government has issued the following key directions to states and UTs: Urgent Identification: Conduct immediate assessment of all school buildings, with a focus on identifying dilapidated or unused structures through safety audits as per national guidelines. Demolition/Repair: Unsafe buildings or parts thereof must be promptly repaired, retrofitted, or demolished, if required. Such structures must not be used for classes under any circumstances until certified safe by competent authorities. Utilisation of Cleared Spaces: Demolished areas may be developed for playgrounds, Poshan Vatikas, vocational training, or other school activities. Temporary Arrangements: Where major repairs or demolitions are underway, temporary safe premises should be arranged to ensure continuity of education. Regular Monitoring & Reporting: District Education Officers and local authorities must monitor the progress of repairs or demolitions and submit monthly reports to the State Department and the concerned disaster management authorities (SDMA/DDMA). Compliance Certificate: Fresh use or occupancy of repaired or newly constructed school buildings will only be allowed after obtaining safety/structural fitness certification from qualified engineers, as per guidelines. The ministry has called for urgent intervention to ensure strict compliance, warning that non-adherence may attract action under relevant provisions.
Hans India
19-07-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Anganwadis across state to get nutritional boost with seed kits
Hyderabad: The Anganwadis will now be given seed kits under the program 'Poshan Vatika' which contains spinach (palakura), Amaranthus (thotakura), Fenugreek (menthem kura), tomato, Brinjal and ladies finger. The Anganwadis will grow them in the centres and provide nutritious food to the beneficiaries. According to the officials, this is under the program of 'Poshan Vatika' (Nutri Gardens) started by the government of India. These gardens are part of the larger Poshan Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission) in India, aiming to improve nutritional outcomes, particularly for children, adolescents, pregnant women, and lactating mothers. The official said that the key plank of the goal is to enable the right kind of nourishment are the Poshan Vatikas or Nutri-gardens that are being set up across the country to provide easy and affordable access to fruits, vegetables, medicinal plants and herbs. The idea is simple – to provide a fresh and regular supply of locally produced fruits, vegetables and medicinal plants to women and children straight from a nutri-garden at or near an Anganwadi centre. Officials said that Poshan Vatikas can play an important role in enhancing dietary diversity by providing key micronutrients through local fruits and vegetables. Poshan Vatikas are a good example of convergent action on-ground. By providing access to fresh, locally grown produce, Poshan Vatikas contribute to improved nutrition and reduce reliance on external food sources. According to a senior official, to begin with, seed kits will be given to 4,500 Anganwadi centres in the state. There are over 35,000 Anganwadi centres in Telangana. These are part of the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) program and provide various services to women and children. The children in rural areas are often suffering due to malnutrition and the government has already taken steps to overcome this problem. The government is taking the support of the NGOs in spreading the awareness among the rural masses about nutritious food, the official informed. In the Anganwadi centres where there is no scope for growing the crops in the urban areas like Hyderabad, the mobile Anganwadis services will be started and these mobile Anganwadis will provide nutritious food twice in a week. The state government has already announced the bringing of the 'Telangana Nutrition Plan'. Telangana is the only state which provides 200 ml of milk, peanuts, millet pattis, egg biryani twice a week, the official added.
