Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 22: Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare, and Education, Sakeena Itoo, convened a meeting today to assess the progress of various initiatives under the Social Welfare Department, including ICDS (POSHAN), Mission Shakti, Mission Vatsalya, and the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojna (PMMVY).
Present at the meeting were Commissioner Secretary of the Social Welfare Department (SWD), Sanjeev Verma, along with the Mission Director of ICDS, District Programme Officers, representatives from Mission Shakti, Mission Vatsalya, and other relevant officials from the SWD.
During the discussions, the Minister reviewed the utilization of funds under CAPEX, the recruitment of Anganwadi workers and helpers, as well as the physical and financial status of Anganwadi Centres and other related matters associated with the ICDS project.
Sakeena Itoo highlighted the importance of the POSHAN Abhiyan in tackling malnutrition and promoting comprehensive health for children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers. She pointed out that these initiatives reflect the vision of the Omar Abdullah-led government to ensure sustainable development and health equity across Jammu and Kashmir.
While evaluating the operations of Anganwadi Centres, the Minister urged District Programme Officers (DPOs) to prioritize cleanliness and hygiene in these facilities. She encouraged officers to carry out regular supervision to ensure the quality of nutrition provided to beneficiaries.
“Conduct surprise visits frequently to evaluate the quality of nutrition and ensure accountability at these centres,” she instructed the officers.
Additionally, the Minister addressed other aspects of these schemes, urging the Mission Director of POSHAN to utilize digital tools for real-time monitoring of beneficiaries. She recommended the development of a mobile application for monitoring both beneficiaries and field officials.
Emphasizing the significant role of the SWD in societal upliftment, the Minister called on all DPOs to increase awareness of these schemes within their districts. “Employ traditional media such as radio and television to disseminate information about these beneficiary-oriented programs, especially in remote areas. Other methods should also be used to educate the public about the various initiatives of the department,” Sakeena Itoo stated.
The Minister also inquired about the performance of One Stop Centres, Balvidyalyas, the Early Childhood Care & Education programme, and other schemes, urging officers to maintain transparency and financial discipline in their implementation. She emphasized the importance of timely submission of utilization certificates to uphold financial viability.
During the meeting, the Minister urged the Mission Director to expedite the recruitment process for Anganwadi Workers, Helpers, and additional staff.
