Uma Mahadevan, Principal Secretary, Department of Women and Child Development and district in-charge secretary, has instructed officials to provide food to children (below the age of five) of labourers engaged in works under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) at the work spot.
She was presiding over a meeting to review the progress of implementation of various schemes of the department here on Friday.
Ms. Uma also stressed the need for officials to prepare for effectively implementing the ‘matru poorna’ scheme aimed at providing nutritious food to pregnant women to fight against malnutrition and prevent maternal and infant mortality.
She also wanted officials to chalk out a special programme under the ‘maitri’ scheme, by roping in non-governmental organisations, to ensure that more people from the sexual minorities community, received benefits.
According to her, in 2016-17, only six applications had been received for getting pension of which three were disposed of.
Ms. Uma underlined the need for officials to accord priority to widows of farmers, who had committed suicide, while appointing anganwadi workers in tune with the circular already issued in this regard.
