Chhattisgarh CM Baghel appreciates the role of aanganbadi workers and assistants during lockdown

Raipur: Chief Minister Mr. Bhupesh Baghel has praised the aanganbadi workers-assistants for their role in distribution of ready-to-eat food and dry ration to the beneficiaries at their doorsteps and also for their dedication in creating public awareness about safety measures to prevent corona infection. Chief Minister said that new patients of corona infection are being identified in the state. Hence, aanganbadi workers should be once again sent to each and every household for collecting health related information about the family members. Health check-up of suspected patients should be ensured by Health Department.
Chief Minister Mr. Baghel gave these instructions while chairing the review meeting of Women and Child Development Department and Social Welfare Department, held at his residence office. In the meeting, Minister Mrs. Anila Bhendiya, Chief Secretary Mr. RP Mandal, Additional Chief Secretary to Chief Minister Mr. Subrat Sahu, Women and Child Development Secretary Mr. Siddhartha Komal Singh Pardeshi, Social Welfare Department Secretary Mr. R Prasanna, Director Women and Child Development Department Mr. Janmejay Mahobe and Director Social Welfare Mr. P Dayanand.
It was informed in the meeting that Mukhyamantri Suposhan Abhiyan, which was launched on the occasion of 150th birth anniversary of Father of Nation Mahatma Gandhi last year, has yielded promising results. As a result of this campaign, nearly 62 thousand 617 children have been cured of malnutrition. As safety measure during lockdown to prevent corona infection, aanganbadi workers have been going door-to-door to distribute ready-to-eat food items to 24 lakh 38 thousand beneficiaries and dry ration to 2 lakh 62 thousand beneficiaries under Mukhyamantri Suposhan Abhiyan. They are playing active role in engaging children in creative activities as well. World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF have lauded the hard work of aanganbadi workers of Chhattisgarh in distribution of nutritious food and in creating public awareness about the pandemic.
It was informed in the meeting that more than 90 thousand aanganbadi workers and assistants in the state have visited household of every beneficiary to distribute food items and to make them aware about corona virus infection. It was informed in the meeting that distribution of eggs have been started to save children in Bastar region from malnutrition. Children are loving this initiative. Chief Minister said that for purpose, eggs should be procured locally, so as to benefit the local people engaged in poultry farming and to provide fresh eggs to children. Mr. Baghel said that this will not only reduce the cost of transportation but will also benefit women groups. Chief Minister directed the officials concerned to promote poultry farming in gauthans with the help of women self-help groups. Mr. Baghel further gave instructions to provide funds for construction of shade for poultry farming in gauthans under MNREGA and for self-help group from DMF and CSR funds. He said that women and self-help groups should be provided financial aid from Chhattisgarh Mahila Kosh for poultry farming and honey production. It was informed in the meeting that children are enthusiastically participating in Sajag and Chakmak Abhiyan, launched with technical support by UNICEF to engage children in creative activities at their homes, during this lockdown period. Nearly 18 lakh children have participated in these programmes.
On instructions of Chief Minister, this year aanganbadi workers and assistants will be given sarees made by local weavers. Every year, workers and assistants are given two sarees each as uniform. Mr. Baghel has given instructions to provide employment to weavers through this scheme. It was informed in the meeting that freshly cooked food for nearly 25 thousand people is being arranged every day and ration has been provided to nearly 27 thousand families by Social Welfare Department through social welfare organizations. Besides, the department has also arranged for food and accommodation facility for destitute, mentally challenged and handicapped people. During lockdown, online education is being imparted to the students of special schools and colleges run by the department.