Anganwadi Centers be equipped with modern equipments, furniture and paintings
Says, Anganwadi Centers to be opened following the instructions of Health Department
Suggestions sought from Anganwadi Workers Unions for transforming Centers
Chandigarh, August 27:
Punjab Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Mrs. Aruna Chaudhary, on Friday, said that the Anganwadi Centers of the state would be transformed into model Anganwadi Centers with an emphasis on imparting the basic learning skills to the children through wall paintings as well as modern equipment and furnitures. She informed that a survey was being conducted in all the Anganwadi Centers of district Hoshiarpur to find out the basic needs, after which the survey would be conducted across the state for providing required equipment accordingly in the Centers.
During a meeting with Anganwadi Workers and Helpers at Punjab Bhawan here on transforming the Anganwadi Centers, the Cabinet Minister announced, the Anganwadi Centers operating in rented buildings or other places would soon be transferred into own buildings so that our children can live in a safe and protective atmosphere.
On the issue of early opening of Anganwadi Centers, she said that as soon as the instructions of the Health Department would be received, the Anganwadi Centers would be opened for the children, which were closed due to the corona pandemic.
Mrs. Aruna Chaudhary said that the lists of the buildings of the Anganwadi Centers, which are about to be repaired have been compiled and the work will be completed soon. “I am keen to make the Anganwadi Centers of the state of the highest standard in the country, hence the representatives of the employees and helpers Associations were called today for suggestions”, said the Minister, adding authorities have been directed to implement the suggestions received today in true spirit. She informed that the department is coordinating with the health department for immunization camps in the Anganwadi Centers so that no child would be deprived of the immunization.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Raji P. Shrivastava, Principal Secretary Social Security, Women and Child Development praised Anganwadi workers for playing vanguard role as frontline workers during the tough times of COVID-19 pandemic, which enabled the state of Punjab to deal with this pandemic better than the other states. “Often the work of Anganwadi workers was not recognized but in spite of that the workers and helpers were doing their job honestly”, she added.
Director Mr. Vipul Ujjwal informed that a Joint Action Committee has been proposed for better coordination with the Education Department for further implementing the guidelines of 2017, which included that volunteers of the education department would teach Anganwadi Centers children for hours. He said that once the committee was formed it would help in the implementation of these guidelines.
During the meeting, Mrs. Usha Rani, All India President of Aanganwari Mulajim Union Punjab (CITU) suggested to provide learning kits to the Anganwadis at the earliest, saying that sign boards outside Anganwadis should be erected in the villages and the menu received through Anganwadi centers should be displayed on the walls of these centers.
Mrs. Hargobind Kaur, State President of All Punjab Anganwardi Mulajim Union demanded that immunization camps for children be organized in Anganwadi Centers, besides maintaining better coordination with the health and education departments. Mr. Saroj Chappariwala, State President of All India Anganwadi Workers Helpers Union AITUC demanded for the early opening of the Anganwadi Centers.
Prominent amongst others, who were present in the meeting included Joint Director Gurjinder Singh Maur, Deputy Director Rupinder Kaur, Deputy Director Amarjit Singh Kore and District Program Officer Sukhdeep Singh.
