Besides announcing three major projects to the extent of over Rs.98 crore to improve the safety and infrastructure in child centres (anganwadis) and for introduction of child-friendly toilets, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa has said that the government would soon fill the 28,596 vacancies in nutritious meal centres and anganwadis functioning under the Social Welfare Department.
In a suo motu statement in the Assembly on Monday, she said the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) was being implemented through these child centres and 26 lakh persons, including children up to six years of age, adolescent girls, pregnant women, lactating mothers and old age pensioners, were benefited.
The government would spend Rs.47.61 crore on repairing the child centres. Minor repairs would be carried out in 10,372 centres functioning from own building. Another 7,449 centres would require major renovation.
Adequate measures
The Chief Minister said that while the government had already put in place adequate measures, including play materials to attract children in child centres, fans and electric lights would be provided to beat the heat in summer and provide adequate lighting during winter. It would cost Rs.27.21 crore.
Another measure that Ms. Jayalalithaa announced was the introduction of child-friendly toilets in these centres to inculcate toilet habits in children to prevent diseases and to maintain hygiene.
Child-friendly toilets would be built in 29,727 child centres at a cost of Rs.23.78 crore.
In the current year Rs.190 crore had been allotted for providing food for beneficiaries under the ICDS.
