957 Anganwadi Centres completed under ₹100 crore project; remaining construction progressing rapidly
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Government giving fresh impetus to child care, nutrition and early childhood education
New centres to provide improved services to children, pregnant women and lactating mothers
Chandigarh, October 22:
Reaffirming its commitment towards the welfare of children and women, the Punjab Government has achieved a significant milestone in strengthening Anganwadi infrastructure across the state, with the construction of 957 out of 1,000 modern Anganwadi Centres completed and work on the remaining centres progressing at a fast pace. Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Dr Baljit Kaur said that this landmark initiative is aimed at providing every child with a safe, nurturing and supportive environment along with better nutrition and early childhood education facilities.
Dr Baljit Kaur informed that the construction of these 1,000 Anganwadi Centres is being undertaken under the **Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme) through convergence with the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). She said that the Punjab Government has made a budgetary provision of ₹100 crore for this ambitious project, which reflects its resolve to create strong social infrastructure for children and women at the grassroots level.
The Cabinet Minister said that the newly constructed modern Anganwadi Centres will serve as comprehensive centres for pre-school education, supplementary nutrition, health check-ups, growth monitoring and other essential services for young children. She added that these centres will also ensure improved support services for pregnant women and lactating mothers, thereby strengthening the overall health and well-being of families.
Dr Baljit Kaur said that the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab Government has accorded top priority to the welfare of children and women. She said that the construction of modern Anganwadi Centres is not merely about creating buildings, but about building a strong foundation for a secure, healthy and bright future of Punjab’s children. She added that the government’s vision is to ensure that every child gets access to quality nutrition, early childhood education and better care facilities within their own village, enabling them to grow with equal opportunities from the very beginning of life.
Appealing to parents, Panchayati Raj Institutions and the community, Dr Baljit Kaur urged everyone to actively contribute towards the proper upkeep and effective utilisation of these Anganwadi Centres. She said that with community participation, these centres will emerge as vibrant hubs for learning, nutrition, healthcare and holistic development of children.
Dr Baljit Kaur said that this initiative reflects the Punjab Government’s unwavering commitment towards child development, women empowerment and inclusive social welfare. She added that the project marks another significant step towards building a healthy, educated and empowered Rangla Punjab, where every child gets the opportunity to dream, learn and succeed.
