DH NEWS SERVICE
UDHAMPUR, Jul 9
Deputy Commissioner Udhampur, Minga Sherpa, on Wednesday chaired a comprehensive review meeting to assess the functioning of the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Department in the district and reviewed the implementation of various welfare schemes being carried out through Anganwadi Centres.
The meeting was attended by Programme Officer Poshan Subash Dogra, Chief Planning Officer Uttam Singh, Child Development Project Officers (CDPOs) from different project areas and other concerned officers associated with the implementation of Mission Poshan and other ICDS programmes.
At the outset, Programme Officer Poshan Subash Dogra delivered a detailed PowerPoint presentation highlighting the present status of Anganwadi Centres functioning across the district. The presentation covered the overall performance of the centres, ongoing developmental initiatives, infrastructure facilities, service delivery mechanisms and the progress achieved under various government welfare programmes aimed at improving maternal and child health, nutrition and early childhood care.
The Deputy Commissioner reviewed the functioning of Anganwadi Centres in detail and assessed their role in delivering essential services to beneficiaries. He also examined the progress made under Mission Poshan and evaluated the implementation of various developmental deliverables designed to improve nutritional outcomes among children, pregnant women and lactating mothers. During the meeting, special attention was given to the Aadhaar enrolment status of beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY). The Deputy Commissioner reviewed the enrolment progress and stressed the need for ensuring that all eligible beneficiaries are properly registered so that they can receive the benefits of the scheme without unnecessary delays.
He instructed the concerned officers to remove bottlenecks in the enrolment process and ensure timely completion of pending cases.
The availability of infrastructure at Anganwadi Centres also came under review. The Deputy Commissioner assessed the existing facilities at different centres and emphasised the importance of maintaining functional, safe and child-friendly environments to provide quality services. He noted that well-equipped Anganwadi Centres play a crucial role in improving nutrition, health awareness and early childhood development in both rural and urban areas.
Emphasising accountability and field-level monitoring, the Deputy Commissioner directed all Child Development Project Officers and supervisors to undertake regular visits to Anganwadi Centres under their jurisdiction. He instructed them to closely monitor day-to-day functioning, assess the quality of services being delivered and ensure that all government guidelines are followed effectively. He said regular inspections would help identify deficiencies at an early stage and facilitate timely corrective measures.
The Deputy Commissioner further directed the CDPOs to organise awareness camps across their respective project areas to educate the public about the benefits of various welfare schemes being implemented through the ICDS Department. He stressed that increased public awareness would improve beneficiary participation and ensure that eligible families are able to avail themselves of government services and schemes without difficulty.
To strengthen monitoring and future planning, Programme Officer Poshan was instructed to prepare a comprehensive list of all Anganwadi Centres functioning in the district and submit a detailed report. The report is expected to assist the district administration in reviewing infrastructure requirements, identifying gaps in service delivery and planning future developmental interventions for strengthening the ICDS network.
The meeting concluded with a detailed discussion on improving coordination among field officers, enhancing service delivery standards and ensuring the effective implementation of Mission Poshan and other welfare programmes. The Deputy Commissioner reiterated the district administration’s commitment to strengthening Anganwadi services and directed all concerned officers to work with dedication to improve the health, nutrition and overall well-being of women and children across Udhampur district.
