Latest news with #IntegratedChildDevelopmentServices


Time of India
17 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
From July 1, facial recognition for take-home meals at anganwadis
1 2 Jaipur: Effective from July 1, beneficiaries will receive take-home nutrition at anganwadi centres exclusively through a facial recognition system (FRS). Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) department has instructed officials to expedite the enrolment process for facial recognition and e-KYC on the Poshan Tracker platform. Additionally, it will be mandatory to record the attendance of children aged three to six years registered at anganwadi centres and the hot supplementary nutrition distributed to them on the Poshan Tracker. "As per the instructions received from the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Govt of India, from July 1, 2025, the distribution of take-home ration to the beneficiaries registered on Poshan Tracker will be done compulsorily through FRS," states an order issued by the department. Officials said beneficiaries can update their KYC details on the Poshan Tracker. "Encourage the beneficiaries to get their photo/mobile number updated in their Aadhaar so that the work of e-KYC can be done easily and organise special camps by establishing coordination with Aadhaar Seva Kendras at the district level to get the Aadhaar of the beneficiaries updated," mentions the order. From Aug 1, registration of beneficiaries on Poshan Tracker will also be possible through FRS. Till now, details of over 18 lakh beneficiaries have been linked out of over 23 lakh beneficiaries. Officials said the delay in updating records of all beneficiaries is due to Aadhaar details not matching with their contact details. Due to this, beneficiaries have been given the option of updating their details on their own.


Time of India
4 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Severe malnutrition cases among children decline by 51,000 in last two years: Maharashtra govt
Mumbai: The number of severely malnourished (SAM) children in Maharashtra has significantly declined over the last two years from 80,248 in 2023 to 29,107 in 2025. Similarly, the number of moderately malnourished (MAM) children declined from 2.12 lakh or 5.09% to 1.49 lakh or 3.11% over the same period. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis attributed the achievement to coordinated efforts by various state departments and welfare agencies. You Can Also Check: Mumbai AQI | Weather in Mumbai | Bank Holidays in Mumbai | Public Holidays in Mumbai According to official data, the percentage of severely malnourished (SAM) children in the state has fallen from 1.93% to 0.61% in the last two years. A total of over 48 lakh children were measured for height and weight under state surveys in March 2025, compared to 41.6 lakh in 2023. The number of SAM children dropped to 29,107 by March 2025 compared to 80,248 in March 2023, as per the data. "This achievement is the result of effective implementation, regular monitoring, and the dedication of thousands of grassroots workers and officials," Fadnavis said. The state govt has been implementing several initiatives to tackle malnutrition, including the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), which provides take-home rations for children aged six months to three years and hot cooked meals for those between 3 and 6 years of age, the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) stated. Special initiatives like the 'Bharat Ratna Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Amrut Aahar Yojana' are being implemented in tribal areas, offering square meals to pregnant and lactating mothers, it said. The CMO said SAM children are provided with additional nutrition and medical attention at village-level and urban child development centres. Among other measures, digital platforms such as the 'Nurture' app and the Nutrition Tracker are being used to monitor individual child health data, track nutritional status, and ensure timely delivery of food supplements. A dedicated state-level task force has been formed to guide policy and implementation, while weekly field reviews and regular training for Anganwadi workers have helped ensure accountability and grassroots impact, the release stated. "Maharashtra continues to lead not only in economic growth but also in social welfare initiatives, especially those targeting human development and inclusive progress," Fadnavis added. PTI


New Indian Express
16-06-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Off the cuff: Justice hits snooze as officers take their afternoon naps in Tiruchy police station
Justice hits snooze In Tiruchy, visiting a police station within both city and rural limits between 2 pm and 5 pm can be a pointless exercise. That's when many officers, including head constables, writers and even those at the commissioner's and SP's offices, reportedly take their afternoon nap. Calls go unanswered, doors remain shut, and petitioners are left waiting outside with no clue when help will arrive. This unofficial siesta hour is so well-known that complainants whisper about it before approaching the police. If law enforcers are asleep, who's watching the streets? - P Thiruselvam Stirred, not shaken The buzz around a recruitment drive for cooks and assistants under Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme in Dindigul saw candidates lining up for political referrals like they were queuing for free meals. A group approached Vedasandur MLA S Gandhirajan only to be told, bluntly, that no recommendations would be made. So persistent were the aspirants that his office had to put up a signboard: No recommendations for cook posts. For many, it was the first time a politician had declined to interfere. Clearly, the MLA was stirred, but not shaken and held his ground even as things simmered outside. - Saravanan MP Scoop turns sour Reporting on wheelchair woes at a Tirunelveli hospital landed a journalist in the administrator's hot seat – literally. After his story on lax contract workers aired, he was summoned and shown CCTV footage of his own reporting, followed by a fresh recording of the same attendant, an elderly woman, denying all complaints. The admin claimed the journalist had recorded the video without consent and warned him not to meddle again. Since then, journos avoid the hospital like the plague – masks on, mics off. - Thinakaran Rajamani (Compiled by Adarsh TR)


Hans India
05-06-2025
- General
- Hans India
Telangana: Minister Seethakka unveils new initiatives for Women and Child Welfare
Dhanasari Anasuya Seethakka, the Women and Child Welfare Minister, announced at the conclusion of a two-day brainstorming conference that numerous innovative ideas have emerged to enhance the welfare of women and children. The minister described the event as a success and confirmed plans to organise similar conferences every three months to achieve significant goals by engaging local districts. Minister Seethakka highlighted the valuable suggestions made by voluntary organisations and intellectuals dedicated to women and child welfare. He announced the establishment of an advisory committee comprising experts to further bolster services provided by the department. In a bid to enhance the safety of girls, the minister introduced the formation of "friendship committees," which will function as self-protection teams. Anganwadi teachers will educate girls on concepts of good touch and bad touch, and the government will also connect Anganwadi centres with voluntary organisations focused on the safety of women and girls. Addressing the alarming issue of abandoned newborns, the minister expressed his concern over babies being discarded in hazardous locations. He proposed setting up cradles to provide a safe alternative for those who might otherwise be abandoned. Minister Seethakka lamented the lack of adoption of the rules regarding the Prevention of Child Marriage Act in Telangana, even after ten years of the state's formation, and assured that these rules would be implemented promptly. He stressed the importance of raising awareness about the detrimental effects of child marriage in village assemblies and governmental programmes. Recalling the beginnings of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) in Telangana, the minister reiterated the need to modernise Anganwadi services, promising that this year, 1,000 Anganwadi centres would receive dedicated buildings. He urged district collectors to identify suitable locations for these centres. Highlighting the pivotal role of Anganwadi staff in shaping the future of the country, Minister Seethakka mandated regular meetings between Anganwadi staff and local villagers every Friday, echoing a previous initiative in Karimnagar, and emphasised the need to increase admissions and attendance at these centres. The minister also announced the formation of girl protection teams to ensure the safety and self-defence of girls, warning that any harassment would lead to severe consequences for offenders. He stressed the importance of educating boys on the repercussions of inappropriate behaviour towards girls, reinforcing a zero-tolerance stance on harassment.


Time of India
26-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Pul visits Tezu, pledges to preserve local history and tribal cultures
1 2 3 4 5 6 Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh women and child development minister Dasanglu Pul on Monday emphasised the importance of preserving and promoting local history and tribal cultures. The minister made the remark during a visit to the district museum, under-construction community convention centre and the child development project officer's residential quarters in Tezu in Lohit district. Visiting the museum, Pul said through such institutions, "cultural preservation must go hand-in-hand with community development". "Our museums are a reflection of our identity and heritage," she said while praising the district research officer and his team for their dedication. She assured the officials of her full support to ensure the "museum is strengthened and developed in a manner that preserves the legacy of our region". Earlier, district research officer J Rondo emphasised on the existing challenges and development needs of the museum. The minister later visited the under-construction residential quarter for the child development project officer (CDPO), which is being built to provide accommodation to officers working under the Integrated Child Development Services scheme. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like [Click Here] - 2025 Top Trending Search - Local network access Esseps Learn More Undo Expressing satisfaction with the progress of work, Pul said, "Ensuring adequate housing for field-level officers like the CDPO is crucial for the smooth delivery of child and maternal welfare services." She also visited the site of the upcoming Community Convention Centre, a flagship initiative of the Lohit district administration aimed at providing a dedicated public space for cultural, social and administrative gatherings. "I am particularly pleased with the innovative vision behind the Community Convention Centre. It is a thoughtful initiative that will provide immense benefit to the local population — serving as a hub for community engagement and empowerment," she said. Officials accompanying the minister said the project is designed to be multi-functional and inclusive, with facilities for seminars, workshops and cultural programmes. Lohit DC KN Damo, Lohit district BJP president Gamso Bellai, Anjaw district BJP president Bakhetso Tawsik and other senior officials accompanied the minister.