Parliamentary Consultative Committee Reviews Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0

New Delhi: The Ministry of Women & Child Development held a meeting of its Parliamentary Consultative Committee today to deliberate on “Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0.” Chaired by Union MinisterAnnpurna Devi, the session saw active participation from Members of Parliament representing diverse political parties, along with Minister of State Savitri Thakur.

Annpurna Devi outlined the Ministry’s multifaceted approach to supporting women and children, emphasizing key initiatives such as Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0, Mission Shakti, and Mission Vatsalya. She stressed the Ministry’s commitment to fostering improved livelihoods, nutrition, and holistic development from early childhood to adulthood.

Anil Malik, Secretary of the Ministry, provided an overview of Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0, while Additional Secretary Gyanesh Bharti presented a detailed account of the scheme’s achievements and future goals.

Members of Parliament contributed valuable suggestions, particularly on the practical challenges faced in implementing these schemes at the grassroots level. Acknowledging their input, Annpurna Devi directed officials to incorporate the feedback into future strategies and called for a heightened focus on community welfare. She also urged MPs to raise awareness in their constituencies and report on challenges faced by beneficiaries to facilitate proactive solutions.

Under Mission Poshan 2.0, the government has embarked on a transformative journey to upgrade two lakh Anganwadi Centres into Saksham Anganwadis, enhancing nutrition delivery and fostering cognitive, emotional, and social development in children under six years of age. To date, over 11,000 Saksham Anganwadis have been inaugurated, offering improved nutrition and Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) services.

Efforts under PM JANMAN focus on Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). Out of 2,500 Anganwadi Centres targeted for construction by 2025-26, 2,139 have been sanctioned, with 780 already operational, benefiting approximately 22,845 individuals in PVTG areas.

Since 2018, over 100 crore Jan Andolan activities and six crore community-based events have been conducted, reflecting the Ministry’s emphasis on community engagement and awareness. Furthermore, the Poshan Tracker, now available in 24 languages, offers baseline data on nutritional indicators for the first time, equipping all Anganwadi Centres with smart technologies.

The Ministry has introduced several innovative measures to enhance service delivery:

• A two-factor authentication system using face recognition and OTP ensures efficient distribution of Take-Home Rations.
• Monthly fact sheets on nutritional indicators and Anganwadi infrastructure aid state-level decision-making.
• Self-registration for beneficiaries enables individuals to select their preferred Anganwadi Centre to access services.

In a significant move, the Ministry announced extended healthcare coverage of ₹5 lakh annually under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) for Anganwadi workers and helpers. To date, 8.15 lakh Ayushman Cards have been issued to Anganwadi staff.

Annpurna Devi reaffirmed the Ministry’s dedication to the welfare of women and children, underscoring the importance of collective efforts to improve nutrition, healthcare, and livelihoods. She emphasized that the integration of innovative technologies and grassroots-level feedback will further strengthen service delivery and make a tangible difference in the lives of beneficiaries.