Deputy Commissioner Doda Krishan Lal today chaired a review meeting to assess the implementation and progress of various nutrition and welfare initiatives under the Poshan Project in the district. Among those present were Programme Officer ICDS Akhtar Hussain Qazi, ACP Mushraf Hafiz, CPO Manesh Kumar Manhas, CEO Bhushan Kumar Pathak, CMO Dr Vinod Sharma, Executive Engineer PHE Division, Food Safety Officer, CDPOs, BDOs and other officers concerned.
A PowerPoint presentation highlighted performance, achievements and targets under various schemes and interventions. The meeting reviewed the enrolment status of children aged six months to six years in Anganwadi Centres, pre-school education activities, growth monitoring, immunisation coverage, nutritional support programmes and the health status of pregnant and lactating mothers.
Discussions were also held on institutional deliveries, implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), availability and distribution of fortified rice, recruitment of Sanginis and Sahayikas, identification of Anganwadi Centres for development as crèches and Bal Vidyalayas and the status of convergence activities among the ICDS, Health, Education, Rural Development and PHE departments to ensure effective service delivery at the grassroots level.
The Deputy Commissioner directed the departments concerned to ensure 100 percent registration of eligible beneficiaries under PMMVY and other nutrition-related schemes. He stressed the need for regular health check-ups of pregnant women and children, timely vaccination and stronger referral mechanisms for high-risk pregnancies and severely malnourished children.
He directed the Health Department to work closely with ICDS functionaries to reduce anaemia among women and children through awareness campaigns, supplementation programmes and regular screening. He also instructed officials to intensify awareness drives on maternal health, breastfeeding, complementary feeding and hygiene to improve nutrition outcomes across the district.
The Deputy Commissioner further directed the Education and ICDS Departments to identify suitable government buildings for shifting Anganwadi Centres presently operating from rented accommodations and to improve infrastructure wherever required.
He emphasised the need for safe, child-friendly learning environments in all centres. Stressing accountability and effective monitoring, he directed CDPOs and supervisory staff to undertake regular field inspections, maintain updated records and ensure timely reporting through digital platforms.
He also instructed the Food Safety Officer to conduct periodic inspections of food supplied to Anganwadi Centres and organise capacity-building programmes for Anganwadi Workers on food safety, nutrition and child care practices. Reviewing the issue of malnutrition, the Deputy Commissioner directed field functionaries to identify nutrition-deficient and underweight children in their respective jurisdictions and prepare targeted intervention plans for their rehabilitation.
He stressed the importance of maintaining accurate growth charts and conducting follow-up visits to track improvement in the nutritional status of vulnerable children. He also called for strengthening kitchen gardens, promoting locally available nutritious foods, ensuring uninterrupted drinking water supply in Anganwadi Centres and improving sanitation facilities to support child health and development.
District officers, CDPOs and BDOs offered suggestions on infrastructure enhancement, capacity building and service delivery improvements. The Deputy Commissioner urged all stakeholders to work in close coordination and with commitment.