Shillong, July 31: Social Welfare Minister Paul Lyngdoh has sought the help of Union Minister of Women and Child Development Smriti Zubin Irani for more Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) centres in 1500 villages in the state.
Speaking to reporters via video conferencing from New Delhi on Monday, Paul said the union minister will release the central share of 90 per cent after matching with the state share of 10 percent for setting up of ICDS centres.
Paul said over 1500 villages in Meghalaya are yet to be covered under the ICDS.
The centres are designed to promote holistic development of children under 6 years, through the strengthened capacity of caregivers and communities with improved access to basic services at the community level.
The union minister also assured that implementation of the Supplementary Nutrition Programme (SNP) under the ICDS will continue in the state though the Centre had warned of stopping the SNP as many beneficiaries do not have aadhaar cards.
“When I took over the department, the aadhaar card coverage was only 13% but from May to June, it has gone up to 95% and as of today, the aadhaar coverage stands at 97%,” Paul said.
The minister said pending salary of the Poshan workers in the state will be released within two months.
On Nirbhaya Scheme, Paul said the department will submit a proposal for the identification and setting up of infrastructure for girls at the border areas.
