Mangaluru: Dakshina Kannada Additional Deputy Commissioner Raju K has instructed officials to identify suitable sites for anganwadi centres in the district that are currently operating from rented buildings. The directive was issued during a progress review meeting of various schemes under the Women and Child Development Department, held on Thursday at the Deputy Commissioner's office.
Anganwadi Centres Overview
There are a total of 2,131 anganwadi centres in the district. Of these, 1,934 have their own buildings, while 25 are under construction. Forty-eight centres are currently functioning in rented premises. Raju K instructed officials to identify land for the remaining centres to ensure they have permanent facilities.
Saksham Anganwadi Scheme Progress
Under the Saksham Anganwadi scheme, smart TVs, educational materials, kitchen gardens, water filters, and hygiene kits have been provided to 1,384 anganwadi centres. A proposal has been submitted to include the remaining centres in the scheme, the official added.
Mission Shakti and Other Achievements
The Additional Deputy Commissioner congratulated officials for securing the first position in the state and seventh in the nation among 966 Sakhi centres under the Mission Shakti scheme. Under the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, full benefits are provided to first-time pregnant women. Raju K instructed officials to ensure that eligible mothers receive benefits when a second female child is born. He also directed efforts to increase awareness through the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme to prevent a decline in the female child sex ratio. Immediate action should be taken in cases of violence against women and children, he emphasised.
Community Programmes and Child Marriage Prevention
The unique programme ‘Saanthvana Towards the Community' is effectively running through Saanthvana centres in Puttur and Bantwal taluks. It was suggested that all centres in the district conduct such programmes through the department. Officials informed that no child marriages have occurred in the quarter, and one child marriage was prevented. The Additional Deputy Commissioner instructed officials to raise more awareness about the ill effects of child marriage.
Meeting Attendees
The meeting was attended by officials from the departments of health, police, labour, education, child development project officers, the District Legal Services Authority, and heads of voluntary organisations.
