Punjab Newsline | Chandigarh
Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government has completed the construction of 957 out of 1,000 modern Anganwadi centres being developed across the state, while work on the remaining centres is progressing rapidly, Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister Dr Baljit Kaur said.
Dr Baljit Kaur said the initiative marks a significant step towards providing children with a safe environment, better nutrition and access to early childhood education.
She said the centres are being constructed under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme in coordination with the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). The Punjab government has allocated a budget of ₹100 crore for the project, aimed at strengthening social infrastructure for women and children at the village level.
The minister said the modern Anganwadi centres would offer improved facilities for pre-primary education, supplementary nutrition, health check-ups, growth monitoring and other essential services. Pregnant women, lactating mothers and young children are also expected to benefit from better access to these services.
Dr Baljit Kaur emphasised that the initiative goes beyond constructing buildings and aims to lay a strong foundation for a safe, healthy and brighter future for the state's youngest citizens.
Appealing to parents, Panchayati Raj institutions and local communities, she urged them to actively contribute to the maintenance and effective use of the centres to ensure that children and women receive the maximum benefits from the facilities.
