JAMMU: Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare and Education, Sakeena Itoo, today chaired a meeting to review progress on the implementation of various schemes of Social Welfare department like ICDS (POSHAN), Mission Shakti, Mission Vastalya, Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojna (PMMVY) and other schemes.
Commissioner Secretary, Social Welfare Department (SWD), Sanjeev Verma; Mission Director ICDS; District Programme Officers; representatives of Mission Shakti, Mission Vastalya and other concerned officers of SWD were present on the occasion.
During the meeting, the Minister reviewed the status of fund utilisation under CAPEX, recruitment of Anganwadi workers and helpers, physical and financial position of Anganwadi Centres and other issues of the ICDS project.
Addressing the officers, Sakeena Itoo emphasised the critical role of POSHAN Abhiyan in addressing malnutrition and promoting holistic health among children, pregnant as well as lactating women. She highlighted that these schemes align with the Omar Abdullah-led government’s broader vision of ensuring sustainable development and health equity across Jammu and Kashmir.
While reviewing the functioning of Anganwadi Centres, the Minister stressed upon the DPOs for maintaining cleanliness and proper hygiene within the centres. She delved upon the officers for maintaining regular supervision of these centres within their respective districts to maintain quality of nutrition provision for the beneficiaries.
“Conduct surprise visits on a regular basis to ascertain the quality of nutrition as well as maintaining accountability of these centres,” she asked the officers.
The Minister, while reviewing other aspects of these schemes, asked the Mission Director POSHAN for the use of digital tools for real-time monitoring of beneficiaries. She advised them to develop a mobile application for monitoring beneficiaries as well as officials on the ground.
Highlighting that the SWD has major contribution to the upliftment of society, the Minister called upon all DPOs to amplify the awareness regarding these schemes in their respective districts. “Use traditional media like Radio and TV to create awareness among people, especially in far-off areas regarding these beneficiary-oriented schemes. Other means should also be used to generate awareness among people regarding different schemes of the department,” Sakeena Itoo said.
The Minister, during the meeting, also enquired about the functioning and performance of One Stop Centres, Balvidayalas, Early Childhood Care & Education programme and other schemes. She impressed upon the officers for maintaining transparency and financial discipline while implementing these schemes. She also delved on them for the timely submission of utilisation certificates so that the financial viability could be maintained.
The Minister, on the occasion, also called upon the Mission Director for the timely completion of the recruitment process of Anganwadi Workers as well as helpers besides other staff.
During the meeting, Mission Director POSHAN informed that J&K has been ranked 5th across the country on Poshan Tracker and upto December 2024, 28,179 Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) have been registered on Poshan Tracker. He also informed that more than nine lakh beneficiaries have been registered on Poshan Tracker, out of which 99% are Adhaar verified.
It was also informed in the meeting that 98% of AWCs have functional toilets and drinking water facilities while 96% have electricity connections.
