'JK has 29,599 AWCs covering 10 lakh population'

Jammu and Kashmir government has said that the state has 141 projects comprising of 29,599 Anganwari Centres (AWCs) which are operational in the state covering a population of 10,33,197 people including children, lactating mothers, pregnant women and adolescent girls.
"There are 141 projects comprising 29,599 AWCs operational in the state covering a population of 10,33,197 souls including children, lactating mothers, pregnant women and adolescent girls", Secretary, Social Welfare Department, Sanjeev Verma said here yesterday.
Besides, 3,316 new AWCs have been sanctioned for J&K which would be made functional from the next financial year, he said.
The Secretary said that the state has registered a substantial growth in the number of Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) projects as well as AW centers while expanding the ambit of these services to almost all the villages.

Verma yesterday reviewed various development and welfare schemes being implemented by the Department at an officers' meeting.
With a view to further streamline functioning of ICDS centers, the Secretary exhorted upon the concerned officers to identify suitable sites for construction of ICDS buildings for the Anganwari Centres (AWCs) which are being run from rented accommodations.

This will help the government to equip these centres with advanced facilities to meet the objectives of the programme.
Elaborating on the vision of ICDS mission, the Secretary said that Government's foremost concern is to ensure dignified life to vulnerable groups like children and women.

Besides, greater emphasis is being laid on promotion of optimal early childhood care, development and learning including maternal care with an integrated approach to early child development.
The Secretary asked the concerned officials to submit a detailed proposal of their requirements including utensils, matting and other infrastructural and manpower needs in the centres.