76K anganwadi units to get their own bldgs

Lucknow: State govt will construct 76,000 new buildings for anganwadi centres that are currently operating without their own premises.Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday directed officials to prepare a comprehensive plan to ensure that all anganwadi centres function from dedicated buildings. Of over 1.89 lakh centres operational in the state, nearly 76,000 do not have their own infrastructure.
He noted that children aged three to six years attend these centres which also serve as pre-primary facilities. Therefore, child-friendly infrastructure, proper teaching-learning arrangements and attractive buildings are essential. The CM said corporate social responsibility (CSR) support can be utilised for construction along with required financial assistance from the state govt.He suggested adopting a pre-fabricated model and asked officials to prepare a standard design and detailed action plan. Wherever possible, anganwadi centres should be built within primary school premises to ensure integrated access to education, nutrition and health services at one place. He emphasised that providing safe, clean and modern facilities to children, pregnant women and the community is govt's top priority."Anganwadi centres are not just buildings, but the foundation of future generations," he said, adding that the initiative will strengthen the mission of ‘Swasth Bachpan-Samarth UP'.Officials said that the proposed model will be inclusive and equipped with modern facilities, including drinking water, electricity, toilets, play areas, kitchen sheds for hot meals, low-height wash units, child-friendly toilets, a separate room for health check-ups of pregnant women, rainwater harvesting and a nutrition garden.