NEW DELHI: Himachal Pradesh govt has requested the centre to sanction 138 additional anganwari centres  and 539 mini anganwari centres for the state to cover entire population under ICDS programme in the state.

Himachal Pradesh  social justice and empowerment minister Mrs Sarveen  Choudhary called on Union Women and Child Development Minister Renuka Choudhury in Shastri Bhawan here on Monday and said   that  state  govt has already sent proposal on the basis of population criteria fixed by the centre to open such new institutions in the state .

The minister also requested the centre to relax the present  population criteria of 300 populations to 150 population  for opening  anganwari centre and from 150 population to 75 population for mini anganwari centre  keeping in view of the geographical and topographical conditions of the hilly state  and also pleaded for strengthening  pre school component under ICDS programmes to make it attractive in comparision  to public schools .

Sarveen  Choudhary also demanded the release of  3500 MT wheat and 4000 MT rice under  wheat based nutrition programme for ICDS programme for current financial year .

She also pleaded for enhancement of central cost under  supplementary nutrition from present 50% cost to 75% cost keeping in view of the constant price hike of food grains and transportations  cost .

The minister also demanded the enhancement of the monthly honorarium for anganwari workers and helpers and pleaded for fixing   rupees 4000 per month honorarium for workers and 2000 honorarium for helpers  respectively keeping in view of the sensitive nature of their job .

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

Choudhary demanded the universalisations of swayamsidha  programmes  in the state and told that at present this programme is being implemented in  8 blocks of the state.

She also requested the centre to enhance the budget allocation under kishori shakti yojna from existing  rupees 1.10 lakhs to rupees 2.00 lakhs per ICDS block and also demanded funds for annual repairs and maintenance of working women hostels in the state.

Renuka Choudhury assured to Sarveen Choudhary that centre will  take liberal view on all the demands of the state govt and   told that  centre will provide all possible help to efficiently and effectively implement ICDS programmes in the state.