Yogi Adityanath directs officials to start Hot Cooked Meal scheme at anganwadi centres on Sharadiya Navratri

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath instructs officials to boost enrolment and attendance at anganwadis during the auspicious occasion of Sharadiya Navratri.

On October 10, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath gave directives to officials for the commencement of the Hot Cooked Meal scheme at anganwadi centres during the auspicious occasion of Sharadiya Navratri. This initiative was part of a broader effort to enhance enrolment and attendance rates at these centres which play a crucial role in child development and women's welfare.

Reinforcing Anganwadi Centres

The chief minister held a review meeting with the Bal Vikas Sewa Evam Pushtahar Vibhag (Child Development Service and Nutrition Department) along with the Women's Welfare and Child Development department. During this meeting, he emphasized that anganwadi centres should operate on par with pre-primary schools. He also ordered that those centres currently functioning from rented spaces be relocated into their own buildings. Furthermore, he urged quick recruitment for vacant posts of anganwadi workers and assistants.

The Hot Cooked Meal Scheme

One significant directive issued by Adityanath was to initiate the Hot Cooked Meal scheme during Sharadiya Navratri. The objective behind this move is to offer nutritious meals to children attending these anganwadi centres. As per official statements, hot-cooked meals coupled with seasonal fruits will be provided under this initiative targeting children aged three to six years.

Moving Towards Self-owned Infrastructure

In addition to enhancing child nutrition through meal schemes, Aditynath also addressed infrastructural issues faced by several anganwadis operating from rented premises in urban regions. Specifically, he called for relocating approximately 12,800 such centres into their own buildings as a step towards self-sustainability.

Parks as Potential Locations

An interesting aspect of his directive was the suggestion to establish anganwadi centres alongside parks in residential areas. This not only provides a conducive and natural environment for children's activities but also makes these centres more accessible and visible to local communities, thereby potentially boosting enrolment.

In conclusion, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's directives aim at strengthening anganwadi centres by enhancing their operational standards, initiating nutritious meal schemes, expediting recruitment processes, shifting towards self-owned infrastructure and positioning them next to parks in residential areas. These measures are expected to significantly improve child development and women's welfare services offered by these crucial community institutions. The successful implementation of these initiatives will undoubtedly make Uttar Pradesh a model state for effective functioning of anganwadis.