Himachal seeks anganwari centres for entire state

The Government of Himachal Pradesh has requested the centre to sanction 138 additional anganwari centres and 539 mini anganwari centres for the state to cover entire population under Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) programme.

The state Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Sarveen Choudhary also requested the centre to relax the present population criteria of 300 to 150 for opening anganwari centre and from 150 to 75 for mini anganwari centre keeping in view the geographical and topographical conditions of the hilly state

She further urged for strengthening pre-school component under ICDS programme to make it attractive in comparison to public schools.

Choudhary also demanded the release of 3,500 MT wheat and 4,000 MT rice under wheat based nutrition programme for ICDS programme for current financial year.

She also urged for enhancement of central cost under supplementary nutrition from present 50 per cent to 75 per cent cost keeping in view of the constant price hike of food grains and transportation cost.

The Minister also demanded the enhancement of the monthly honorarium for anganwari workers and helpers and pleaded for fixing Rs 4,000 per month honorarium for workers and 2,000 honorarium for helpers, respectively, keeping in view the sensitive nature of their job.

She also requested for enhancement of rent under ICDS programme and demanded fixing of minimum Rs 2000 per month for anganwari centre in urban areas and Rs 500 per month rent for rural areas of the state.

Choudhary demanded the universalisation of Swayamsidha programme in the state and told that at present this programme is being implemented in eight blocks of the state.

The Minister also requested the centre to enhance the budget allocation under Kishori Shakti Yojna from existing Rs 1.10 lakh to Rs 2 lakh per ICDS block and also demanded funds for annual repairs and maintenance of working women hostels in the state.

Responding to the demands, the Union Minister of State for Women and Child Development Renuka Choudhury assured the Social Justice Minister that centre will take liberal view on all the demands and would provide all possible help to the state.