CM Chandrababu calls for innovative approaches in women and child welfare programs 

The Capital News 

Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu has directed the officers of the Women and Child Welfare Department to adopt new ideas and work according to a plan to achieve tangible results within the year. Emphasizing the importance of strategic planning, the Chief Minister suggested that it is not enough to merely provide schemes, the focus should be on obtaining the best outcomes through effective implementation. During a review meeting at the Secretariat on Friday, the Chief Minister assessed various programs for women and children, particularly those implemented in Anganwadi centers.

The review covered several key areas, including women empowerment, maternal and infant mortality, and child protection programs under Mission Vatsalya. Additionally, Naidu examined schemes for pregnant and lactating women, as well as nutrition initiatives for children, such as Balamrutham, Amrita Hastam, Gorumudda, Giri Gorumudda, and Bala Sanjeevani, introduced in 2014.

Officials reported that the State has a total of 55,607 Anganwadi centers, including 48,770 main centers and 6,837 mini centers, with 8,311 centers located in tribal areas. They highlighted that during the Telugu Desam government’s tenure from 2014 to 2019, work began on constructing 12,496 centers, of which 6,119 were completed and 2,800 were still under construction by 2019.

However, the last five years saw a lack of focus on constructing new Anganwadi centers, with only 18 of the 2,048 sanctioned centers completed.

The review revealed significant infrastructure deficits, with 14,597 Anganwadi centers lacking toilets and 8,455 centers without electricity. The Chief Minister instructed officials to address these gaps using Central and State funds and to increase the availability of women’s hostels across the State.

CM Naidu stressed the need for innovative programs within the Women and Child Welfare Department to ensure visible results. He called for a comprehensive plan and radical changes in the department’s approach, leveraging central schemes to enhance performance. Minister Gummadi Sandhyarani and other officials participated.