Anganwadi centres across the state will now function under the watchful eyes of mothers and grannies. After entrusting mothers with the task of ensuring quality of mid-day meal served in government schools, the UP government has ordered afresh setting up of a panel of women comprising mothers and grandmothers of kids enrolled in a particular anganwadi centre to oversee functioning of these centres. Their aim is to battle high infant and maternal mortality prevailing in the state.
“A panel of 7 to 12 women on an average and a maximum of 15 in exceptional cases per anganwadi dubbed ‘mothers’ committee’ has been recommended for each anganwadi centre,” said a senior official of the women and child development department under which these centres run.
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{{/usCountry}}In a missive to all DMs and divisional commissioners, secretary, women and child development, Anita C Meshram, has ordered setting up of these committees. The missive makes plain that local women having kids enrolled at these centres as well as grandmothers of these kids will be made members of the committees. One member mandatorily will be a woman member of the village gram sabha.
Uttar Pradesh has around 1.88 lakh anganwadi centres where 74,775 workers and 1.53 lakh assistants work in 75 districts and form a vital part of efforts to tackle malnutrition in women and children.
The government has asked that these committees be reorganised as per the new guidelines through a special drive with the support of revenue and block development officers between June 15 and July 15.