Himachal urges Centre to relax Anganwadri norms

Shimla, Jan 28 (UNI) The Himachal Pradesh Government today urged the Centre to provide relaxation in norms of sanctioning of Anganwari and mini Anganwari to the state in view of its difficult geographical terrain.

State Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Sarveen Chaudhary, while speaking in a meeting of Social Justice and Empowerment Ministers and Secretaries at New Delhi, said at present, the Centre was sanctioning Anganwari centre for a population of 300 and mini Anganwari centre for 150 people in hilly areas.

She said the difficult hilly terrains of the state should have an Anganwari centre for 150 people and mini Anganwari centre for a population between 50 to 100 people.

''With relaxation in norms of sanctioning Anganwaris according to difficult geographical locations, we had also urged to avail us adequate provision of funds for modern technological equipments in the Anganwari Centres,'' she added.

The Minister said the Centre was bearing 50 per cent expenditure on providing nutrition and urged to enhance it to 75 per cent for hilly states so that more children could be benefited.

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