Minister for Agriculture, Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura, has said that Rs 40 lakh would be spent on establishment of 19 Model Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) under convergence with MGNREGA in Budgam district.This was informed by the Minister in a meeting convened to review the functioning of ICDS in the district here today.Giving details of creating these model centres, the Minister said that 78 AWCs have been selected to be covered under this scheme which will function on ICDS guide lines as model AWCs in the district.Besides, 472 toilet units will be constructed in 472 Anganwadi Centres of the district under Swacch Bharat Abhyan during the current year. It was informed in the meeting that 1639 Anganwadi Centres are presently functional in the district.The Minister directed the ICDS officers to conduct frequent field visits and aware general masses about the schemes and programmes of the department.
Hanjura appreciated the officers of ICDS for their efforts and dedication in making the AWCs of the district functional during the period of unrest in the valley. He, however, asked them to work in coordination with the other departments so that maximum people can take advantage of the schemes and programmes launched by the Centre and State governments for their welfare.The Minister said that the Government headed by Chief Minister Ms Mehbooba Mufti is committed to upgrade the living standards of the people of all sections of the society.District Development Commissioner, Mir Altaf Ahmad and SSP Abdul Waheed Shah and other officers of ICDS were present in the meeting.Earlier, Mission Director, ICDS Talat Parvez briefed the meeting about the activities of the ICDS in detail through power point presentation.