Hyderabad: Women and Child Welfare Minister Dr. Danasari Anasuya Seethakka directed officials to ensure Anganwadi basic facilities in every centre across Telangana and complete all pending infrastructure works without delay.
Reviewing the department’s functioning at the State Secretariat, the Minister appreciated officials for improving infrastructure over the past year. She said the department had provided toilets to 5,938 Anganwadi centres, drinking water to 3,815 centres and electricity to 14,271 centres.
The review meeting covered infrastructure, staff recruitment, child nutrition, pre-school education, adoption centres and the prevention of child marriages. Department Secretary Shruti Ojha, Joint Director Moti and other senior officials attended the meeting.
Seethakka instructed officials to coordinate with Assistant Engineers and Deputy Engineers to complete all remaining infrastructure works. She also sought continuous monitoring of the progress at every centre.
Anganwadi basic facilities remain a priority
The Minister directed officials to conduct a sample survey to assess the nutritional status and growth of children attending Anganwadi centres. She said the findings should help improve nutrition programmes across the State.
She also ordered officials to implement the milk and breakfast scheme for Anganwadi children in all districts without delay. The existing programme should gradually expand statewide to ensure every child receives nutritious food.
Seethakka said the breakfast programme would address morning hunger while supporting children’s physical and mental development. She stressed that providing quality food to every child remained a government priority.
The Minister also instructed the department to organise district-wise meetings with Anganwadi teachers and helpers. She said the consultations should identify field-level issues and help improve service delivery.
Anganwadi basic facilities to support child welfare
Seethakka directed officials to expedite the recruitment of Anganwadi teachers and helpers. Officials informed the meeting that recruitment notifications had already been issued in 16 districts.
The Minister instructed officials to complete the supply of uniforms to teachers and helpers by the first week of October. She also asked them to speed up the process of awarding diploma certificates to Anganwadi teachers through Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Open University.
She said Anganwadi centres should provide a child-friendly environment with bright colours, learning spaces and play areas instead of dull surroundings.
The Minister directed officials to shift Anganwadi centres immediately if heavy rains created safety risks for children. She also asked them to establish additional Mother’s Lap (Talli Odi) centres in crowded locations after officials informed her that 54 centres were already functioning.
Seethakka instructed officials to accelerate the establishment of adoption centres in every district. Officials informed the meeting that 17 adoption centres currently operate across Telangana.
The Minister also directed the department to strengthen efforts to eliminate child marriages through awareness campaigns and continuous monitoring at the village level.
She instructed officials to utilise all Central government funds without allowing them to lapse. The Minister also called for stronger coordination between the Central and State governments through designated officers.
Finally, Seethakka directed district welfare officers to inspect hostels and Anganwadi centres regularly and submit reports detailing inspections, identified problems and corrective measures.