Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel while reviewing the activities of the Women and Child Development Department at his residence office here on Thursday said that special attention needs to be paid to the health and nutrition of women and children. The Chief Minister said that for Chhattisgarh to be healthy and well-nourished, it is necessary that our anganwadis should develop into empowered centres of health and nutrition for women and children. He directed to ensure implementation of the plan to develop 10,000 anganwadi centres as model centres in the first phase with the co-operation of the District Administration.

 

The Chief Minister directed to ensure effective implementation of Mukhyamantri Suposhan Abhiyan in State as well as to closely monitor the quality of ready-to-eat and distribution system. During the meeting, discussion was held about the filling up of vacant posts of anganwadi workers and assistants. In the meeting, Secretary Women and Child Development gave information about departmental schemes and programmes through power point presentation. She informed that the nutritional level of 28 lakh children up to the age of 5 years is being assessed by taking measurements of their weight and height. She said that the state-run nutrition campaign has yielded fruitful results. As of January 2019, 4,33,541 children were malnourished. It has come down by 32 per cent due to providing nutritious food, health facilities and regular counseling services under the Chief Minister’s Nutrition Campaign. As of May 2021, 1,40,556 children have come out of malnutrition and more than 81,000 women have been freed from anaemia. She informed about the progress of Mukhyamantri Bal Sandarbh Yojana, Mukhyamantri Kanya Vivah Yojana, Noni Suraksha Yojana, Suchita Yojana, Mahtari Jatan Yojana and schemes of social development and women empowerment. She said that the women self-help groups formed under the department are progressing towards social and economic self-reliance by joining gothan and other activities. It was informed in the meeting that a total of 52,474 anganwadi centers are operating in the state, out of which 3,000 anganwadi centres have been developed as model and nursery schools. This year 10,000 anganwadi centres are planned to be developed as model centres. In State, 1,620 women self-help groups are involved in the preparation of ready-to-eat and 18,460 in hot food supply work. Women and Child Development Minister Anila Bhendia, School Education Minister Dr Premsai Singh Tekam, Chief Secretary Amitabh Jain, ACS Subrata Sahoo, Secretary (Women and Child Development) Reena Baba Saheb Kangale, Director (Social Welfare) P Dayanand, Director (Women and Child Development) Divya Mishra and other senior officers were present.