DW BUREAU / CHANDIGARH

In a significant discussion with Union Minister Mrs. Annpurna Devi over video conferencing, Punjab's Social Security, Women and Child Development Minister, Dr. Baljit Kaur, underscored the pressing need for increased financial and operational support from the Ministry of Women and Child Development to further strengthen the welfare programs for women and children in the state.

Dr. Baljit Kaur during the interaction, provided an overview of the substantial progress made in key areas, while also highlighting the challenges that require immediate attention and support.

Dr. Kaur emphasized the inadequacy of the current cost norms under the Supplementary Nutrition Program(SNP) to meet the rising prices of essential ingredients and high-calorie foods. She urged the Union Minister to revise these norms to ensure that the nutritional needs of the beneficiaries are adequately met. Additionally, she highlighted the exclusion of children attending private schools from the Poshan Tracker nutrition system, advocating their inclusion to ensure comprehensive nutritional support across all educational institutions.

The Minister acknowledged the significant strides made in integrating Anganwadi centers with primary schools in Punjab, which has enhanced infrastructure and the quality of early childhood care and education. However, she pointed out the operational overlap between Anganwadi workers and school teachers, leading to confusion and underutilization of services. Dr. Kaur called for clearer guidelines to delineate roles and responsibilities to optimize the delivery of pre-primary education.

Dr. Kaur noted the lack of clear guidelines and the rigid training schedules that hinder the program from reaching its full potential. She advocated the introduction of skill development training within schools, supported by a proper mechanism to ensure its effectiveness.

The Minister raised concerns over delays in fund release which is stalling the completion of critical projects, including the construction of Vatsalya Sadan and a working women's hostel in SAS Nagar. She stressed the urgent need for additional funds to meet the growing demand for sponsorships and foster care services.

Dr. Baljit Kaur reaffirmed Punjab's commitment to all Women and Child Development (WCD) programs and expressed confidence in continued collaboration between the State and Central Government to address the ongoing challenges. She extended a warm invitation to Union Minister Annapurna Devi and her team to visit Punjab in the coming months to witness the progress and discuss further collaboration opportunities.
(editor@dailyworld.in)