Govt to set up 266 new anganwadi centres and upgrade 1266 mini-anganwadi centres in state: Paul

Shillong, Oct 6: The Centre has sanctioned funds for setting up of 266 new anganwadi centres and upgradation of 1266 mini-anganwadi centres in the state.

Addressing a press conference on Friday, Social Welfare Minister Paul Lyngdoh said, there were 1500 uncovered villages and the number will stand reduced with the sanction of 266 new centres and the upgradation of 1266 such centres,” Lyngdoh said.

Paul said 1266 mini-anganwadi centres will now be upgraded to main anganwadi centres. The upgradation would include the increase of workers and helpers in each of these centers. Instead of one, each centres will now have more workers and helpers.

The government also enhanced the honorarium of the anganwadi workers from Rs 3500 to Rs 4500 per month (an additional financial implication of Rs 1,000 per month per anganwadi worker) and the appointment of 51 lady supervisors in the 1266 anganwadi centres.

There will be appointment of two anganwadi helpers at Rs 2500 per month, free supply of uniforms which is two sets per year at the cost of Rs 1000 per annum besides medicine kits from Rs 750 to Rs 1500.

“The total fund requirement comes to Rs 826.38 lakh of which 743.74 lakh is the central share and Rs 82.46 lakh state share,” the minister said.

Commenting on sanctioning of 266 new anganwadi centres, Paul said, “These centres will involve the appointment of honorary workers which would be 266 anganwadi workers and 266 helpers. Supplementary nutrition will be provided to beneficiaries for 300 days in a year as per guidelines issued by the Government of India from time to time and the state shall take immediate actions for recruitment and training of functionaries, procurement of goods and equipment as per rules and instructions so as to ensure that all sanctioned centres become operational at the earliest.”

“The expenditure on this account will be met from the grant-in-aid release from the government of India under anganwadi centre services component and supplementary nutritions under anganwadi services. The action taken by the state government in pursuant to this sanction should be intimated to the Government of India every two months beginning from October 1, 2023,” he said.