All Anganwadi Centres in Odisha to be Made Fully Functional Within 3 Years: Deputy CM Pravati Parida

Bhubaneswar, April 9 : In a significant step towards strengthening child development and nutrition services, the Odisha government has decided to convert all Anganwadi centres across the state into functional units within the next three years. The directive was issued by Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida during a comprehensive review meeting of the Women and Child Development Department on Tuesday.

Chairing the meeting, Parida emphasized the importance of streamlining Anganwadi operations to ensure holistic care and support for children and mothers under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS). “A detailed roadmap will be prepared to transform every Anganwadi centre in the state into a functional one within a three-year timeline,” she said.

The Deputy Chief Minister also expressed satisfaction over Odisha setting a new record in child adoption this year. “The state has witnessed the highest number of adoptions to date, which reflects growing awareness and participation among the public,” she noted, while directing officials to intensify awareness campaigns on child protection services. She particularly emphasized promoting the Child Helpline 1098 and services under the ‘Mission Vatsalya’ initiative.

Another key agenda of the meeting was the improvement of the Take Home Ration (THR) scheme under ICDS. Drawing insights from the Take Home Ration Conclave held in November last year, Parida discussed the best practices adopted by states like Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Assam, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand. She reviewed the ongoing efforts to enhance the quality and delivery of THR in Odisha and called for adopting innovative models to ensure nutritious and hygienic ration reaches the intended beneficiaries.

The meeting concluded with a strong commitment from all stakeholders to accelerate efforts in child welfare, nutrition, and protection, aligning with Odisha’s broader vision of inclusive development.