TAKING seriously the severe heat and increasing impact of the heat wave in the state, the Women and Child Development Department, Government of Chhattisgarh has taken a quick and sensitive decision to protect the health of children. On the clear instructions of Women and Child Development Minister Laxmi Rajwade, the operating hours of Anganwadi centres during the summer have been changed, reducing it from 6 hours to 4 hours. In a bid to protect children from the intense heat and sunstroke,

 

Anganwadi centres are being run daily from 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM from April 1, 2026, to June 30, 2026. Specifically, from April 23, to June 30, 2026, children’s attendance time has been limited to 7:00 AM to 9:00 AM, to protect them from the intense heat and sunstroke. During this period, children will be provided with early childhood care and education (ECCE) activities, as well as regular distribution of supplementary nutrition, according to a pre-determined schedule. The department has clarified that no compromise will be allowed in the quality of children’s education and nutrition services. Other essential services at Anganwadi centres will continue until 11:00 a.m.

 

During this time, Anganwadi workers and assistants will perform remaining tasks according to their assigned job charts. Additionally, instructions have been given to further enhance the important service of providing nutrition counseling through home visits, where workers will go door-to-door after the centres close to educate mothers. The Department has also adopted a strict stance regarding the safety of children.

 

Instructions have been issued to ensure that children are safely transported home amid the heat waves and high temperatures. Any negligence will result in accountability. Further, all the District Officers have been directed to continuously monitor these arrangements and regularly review the progress in the district level review meetings, so as to ensure effective implementation of the instructions at the ground level. After the summer season ends, from July 1, Anganwadi centres will again function at their normal timings from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm (6 hours).