From December, Karnataka will start using the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)-Common Application Software (CAS) that will provide real time information about every child, adolescent girl, or mother needing nutritional intervention in the State.
Announcing this in her maiden press conference, Women and Child Development Minister Shashikala Jolle told presspersons on Friday that Karnataka was yet to start using the software although the State has scored badly in south India on various parameters related to nutrition. “The software that was rolled out as part of Poshan Abhiyan in 2017 will be up and running in Karnataka from December,” she said.
The software, developed by the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD) in partnership with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, is aimed at providing real-time information on every child, adolescent girl, or mother needing nutritional intervention.
The software has already put nearly four lakh anganwadi workers online in several States.
As per theplanned implementation of the scheme, all anganwadi centres are targeted to be covered by March 2020.
Replying to queries on malnutrition, the Minister said her department would work in convergence with the departments of Health and Family Welfare, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, and the Police in tackling malnutrition. “The number of malnourished children is high because as of now we are also considering children ailing with heart and renal problems as malnourished. We need to work together to tackle the malaise of malnutrition,” she said.
Promotions and appointments
The Minister said 48 Child Development Project Officers (CDPOs), who had been recruited through the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) last year, had not been given postings.
“We have issued orders posting the CDPOs in various districts. Measures have also been initiated to post as many as 33 Assistant CDPOs and 628 women supervisors. Training for 374 supervisors has been completed. Also, 104 officers, who were waiting promotions, have been promoted. This will help streamline administration,” she added.
