SHILLONG, AUG 25: Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on Tuesday said 666 of the 6,188 Anganwadi centres in the state are still functioning from rented or temporary buildings, and the government is not spending on improving rented premises due to non-availability of land.
Replying to TMC MLA Dr Mizanur Kazi, Sangma told the Assembly that construction and renovation of 2,148 centres has been taken up in convergence with the Rural Development department and MGNREGS, with Rs 64 crore sanctioned under Externally Aided Projects.
“Out of 2,148 centres, 1,670 have been completed and the rest will be completed very shortly. We are not spending money on improving the infrastructure of temporary buildings,” the CM clarified.
He said upgradation is being taken up under the Meghalaya Early Childhood Development Mission.
On nutrition, the CM said supplementary nutrition is provided for 25 days a month — hot cooked meals for children aged 3-6 years and weekly take-home ration for children 6 months to 3 years, pregnant, lactating mothers and adolescent girls.
The state will soon provide eggs twice a week as part of hot cooked meals.
Sangma said regular checks and social audits are done to monitor quality and timely distribution, and urged MLAs to flag gaps.
Citing NFHS data, he said stunting among children under 5 has dropped from 46% to 35% in three years, and the overall malnourished figure has come down to 36%, a decline higher than the national average.
“There is a positive response but we want to bring it to zero. We have launched the 1000-days programme covering a child from birth to two years,” he said, adding that all centres have cooking space even if separate kitchen rooms are not available.
