Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai conducted a high-level review of the Women and Child Development Department’s schemes at the Mahanadi Bhavan in the Ministry on Wednesday and issued key directives to officials. He emphasized the importance of regular district-wise monitoring of women and child-centric schemes at the secretary level, with a comprehensive review planned for the upcoming Collector’s Conference.
During the meeting, Chief Minister Sai reviewed the Women and Child Development Department’s infrastructure, budget, and ongoing schemes. He highlighted the department’s critical role in the nutrition and protection of children, adolescents, and women. He stated that the more sensitively and skillfully the care and nutrition of young children are managed, the more effective and robust their physical and mental development will be.
He stressed that children are the foundation of the nation’s future and that the participation of everyone is essential to strengthen this foundation. He instructed the departmental staff to work with activism and self-motivation at the ground level. He emphasized ensuring that every child in the state receives supplementary nutrition and benefits from departmental schemes.
He discussed in detail various aspects of the nutritional food and hot meals distributed in Anganwadi centers, including quantity, quality, and calorie standards, and highlighted the need for continuous monitoring of the distribution process. The Chief Minister inquired about the operation of 197 Anganwadi centers under the PM Janman Yojana and directed to work with sensitivity and commitment towards the overall development of children of the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG) community.
Reviewing key indicators related to child nutrition, Chief Minister Sai called for concrete efforts to bring about the desired improvements. He stated that the indicators make it possible to assess the actual situation, and wherever deficiencies are found, prompt corrective measures should be taken. He expressed satisfaction with the improved performance in the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana and directed that this progress be sustained. He said that small things and behavior have a profound impact on the mental development of children, so Anganwadi workers should establish an emotional bond with children with sensitivity.
The Chief Minister called for ensuring regular training for departmental staff to enable them to work with technical proficiency and a research-oriented approach. The meeting also reviewed the Bal Vivah Mukt Chhattisgarh Abhiyan, Mukhyamantri Kanya Vivah Yojana, Sakhi One Stop Centre, Shakti Sadan, Women and Child Helpline, Mahila Kosh, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, Mission Vatsalya, and other schemes.
