Jammu, Sep 21: The Jammu and Kashmir government has informed the Legislative Assembly that the Government of India has not prescribed any specific norms or separate mechanism for setting up Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) at migration points, Dhoks or seasonal habitations in the Union Territory.
Replying to a starred question by MLA Ramban Arjun Singh Raju, the Social Welfare Department as per Kashmir Convener said the establishment of AWCs is governed by norms prescribed by the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
As per the population norms, rural and urban areas require 400 to 800 people per centre, while tribal, hilly and difficult areas require 300 to 800.
“The Government of India has not prescribed specific norms or any separate mechanism for establishment of Anganwadi Centres at migration points, Dhoks or other seasonal habitations,” the reply stated.
However, the department said it has been making concerted efforts to ensure children of migratory families are not deprived of early childhood care and education.
“Three Anganwadi Centres of District Jammu are shifted/migrated to Kashmir Division during the migration period in the Districts of Anantnag and Ganderbal to facilitate delivery of services to eligible beneficiaries,” the government said.
On coordination with seasonal schools, the department said it is working in close coordination with the School Education Department to ensure continued access to education for migratory children.
The government also submitted district-wise data on functional AWCs in tribal areas. Out of a total of 28,199 functional centres in J&K, 1,029 are operational in tribal rural areas, as per the Poshan Tracker.
Poonch district has the highest number of tribal-rural AWCs at 439, followed by Rajouri (318) and Bandipora (170).
The department said sufficient numbers of AWCs are operational in tribal areas as per guidelines under Mission Saksham and Poshan 2.0, and proposals for additional centres will be finalised once the Ministry of Women and Child Development accords approval.
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