Last Updated: 12 Jan 2025

Neglected by successive Govts for 75+ years, not AAP Govts

1419 new centers are under construction

-- 5714 new Anganwadi workers already hired in Aug 2023^[1]
-- 3000 new posts created in Sept 2024^[2]

• IMPACT: Awesome Results in Fight against Malnutrition in Punjab

¶ 1. Infra Boost^[3]

Buildings

• 1419 new Anganwadi Centers are being constructed in Punjab

  • 56 centers have already been completed
  • 644 are under construction
  • 300 centers will have work started soon
  • 156 more have received Approvals

• Renovation of 350 existing centers is also being carried out

Facilities

• 2162 new toilets at Anganwadi centers, with ₹7.78 crore allocated for the purpose
• 353 centers to get upgraded drinking water facilities, ₹35.30 lakh has been earmarked

New Furniture

• 21,851 Anganwadi centers to get new Furniture
• ₹21.85 crore has been allocated to purchase furniture

¶ 2. New Hiring^[4][1:1]

• Recuitment Completed for 5714 new Anganwadi workers & helpers in Aug 2023
• 3000 new posts created in Sept 2024^[2:1]

¶ 3. Food Quality Fixed^[5]

Punjab Markfed agency to provide quality packed dry ration now

¶ 4. Anganwari centers Digitised and workers trained to get all data online^[6]

• Nutrition tracker app 'Poshan' implemented in Anganwadi centers under Poshan Abhiyan
• Rs 2000 for every worker annually for Mobile data to operate mobile apps
• The aim is to enhance the efficiency of Anganwadi centers in the state so that their activities can be monitored at the block, district, state, and national levels, ensuring transparent delivery of services to beneficiaries

¶ 5. Digitized Universal Immunization Program in Punjab^[7]

• Reduced the workload of the health staff as no manual book keeping of records
• The beneficiaries will be able to register and book their vaccination, download their vaccination certificates online and reminders in form of text messages
• Huge success of Pilot program of digitisation of the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) in two districts— Hoshiarpur and SBS Nagar
• Now implemented across the whole state

¶ Why is an Anganwadi Center so important?

Nutrition & Health Services for Mothers and young children, especially for poor

Also known as Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme

Target Citizens

• Children (6 months to 6 years)
• Pregnant women
• Lactating mothers

Six services covered

• Play Schools/Pre-school Education
• Supplementary nutrition
• Immunization
• Health check up
• Referral Services
• Nutrition and Health education

References:

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1. https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chandigarh/punjab-cm-hands-over-appointment-letters-to-5714-anganwadi-workers-8917255/ ↩︎ ↩︎

2. https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/chandigarh-news/3000-more-posts-of-anganwadi-workers-to-be-created-mann-101723915564383.html ↩︎ ↩︎

3. https://yespunjab.com/punjab-to-construct-1419-anganwadi-centers-dr-baljit-kaur/ ↩︎

4. https://www.babushahi.com/full-news.php?id=167060 ↩︎

5. https://www.ptcnews.tv/punjab-2/11-lakh-anganwadi-beneficiaries-to-receive-fry-ration-from-markfed-716627 ↩︎

6. https://www.therisingpanjab.com/new/article/each-anganwadi-worker-will-be-given-an-annual-data-charge-of-rs.-2000:-dr.-baljit-kaur ↩︎

7. https://www.babushahi.com/full-news.php?id=167029 ↩︎