JAMMU: Minister for Social Welfare, Bali Bhagat has stressed the need for stringent measures to improve the functioning of Anganwari Centres across the State.
While interacting with the District Programme Officers (DPOs) of ICDS from Jammu division, here today, the Minister called for overall fine-tuning the functioning of these Centres to achieve the objective of the scheme. He stressed the need for strengthening the monitoring mechanism at the grass-root level to make the ground level functionaries accountable.
He directed the DPOs to undertake regular field visits to personally monitor the activities of the Centres and addressing the important issues, if any, on the spot. Strict action needs to be taken against any slackness which is responsible for the poor functioning of the Centres, the Minister asserted.
To address the issues related to the procurement, supply and quality of nutritional items, the Minister directed the Secretary Social Welfare to come up with a fresh comprehensive procurement policy. He said the complaint regarding the sub-standard supply of nutritional items will be viewed seriously. All concerned should be vigilant to ensure that quality nutrition is provided to the children, said the Minister.
Referring to the complaints regarding pilferage of nutrition, poor quality, thin attendance of children and poor functioning of Anganwari Centres across the State, the Minister directed for evolving complete transparency in the system and prominently displaying the chart of nutrition items to be offered to the children in the Anganwari Centres. This list of items should also appear in the prominent newspapers in different languages so that the beneficiaries can avail benefits of the scheme, said the Minister.
Secretary Social Welfare, Sanjeev Verma and State Mission Director, ICDS briefed the Minister about the scheme and steps initiated to further streamline the functioning.
The DPOs also gave detailed account of the issues confronting at the ground level and suggested measures to bring change in the system.
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