Feature-18,925 Anganwadi centres catering to the nutritional needs of children

Shimla, 02^nd November, 2025-Balanced and nutritious diet is a critical component in ensuring physical and mental well-being of children. Keeping this in mind, the government was laying special emphasis on fulfilling the nutritional needs of children by providing healthy and balanced nutrition necessary for their ideal growth.

With this in mind, the government was promoting nutritional health to build a prosperous society. In Himachal, 18,925 Anganwadi Centres are catering to the nutritional as well as early education needs of children. Every month, growth of children up to six years of age is being monitored on various physical and mental health parameters. During the current fiscal, Rs. 113 crore has already been spent from the state exchequer under the Anganwadi Services Scheme. In addition, Rs. 1516.09 lakh has been spent under the Special Nutrition Programme.

To ensure both quality early education and child care, the government has declared all Anganwadi Centres as "Anganwadi Co-Schools", so that the holistic development of children could be ensured. The step would help build a strong foundation for their early learning. A state-level joint committee has also been formed under the chairmanship of the secretary education to implement the guidelines issued by the Ministry of Women and Child Development and the Ministry of Education for co-locating Anganwadi Centres and schools.

Out of the 1030 approved "Saksham Anganwadi Centres" in the state, 100 have been sanctioned for Chamba district. The process of upgrading Anganwadi Centres is ongoing. All District Programme Officers (DPOs), Child Development Project Officers (CDPOs), and Supervisors have been trained as State-Level Master Trainers. These Master Trainers will now train all Anganwadi Workers, and training materials are being printed for this purpose.

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has also started the Mukhyamantri Bal Poshan Aahar Yojna to provide nutritious meal to students of all government schools. Under this scheme, nutritious meals are being provided to 5.34 students studying in 15,181 government schools across the state.

To further improve children's nutrition, the "Kitchen Garden" initiative has been successfully implemented in 14,464 schools. With the help of mid-day meal workers, school management committees, teachers and students, kitchen gardens have been developed where seasonal vegetables are grown. In schools with limited space, vegetables and herbs are grown in large containers and pots. The vegetables harvested from these gardens are used in mid-day meals, ensuring fresh and healthy food for children. This initiative also helps students learn the importance of natural farming and healthy eating habits.

Mid-day meal workers serve food with love and dedication. Recognizing their commitment, the Chief Minister has increased their honorarium by Rs. 500, making it Rs. 5000 per month for a total number of 21,115 mid-day meal workers.

Nutritious food is every child’s right. A balanced diet not only ensures physical growth but also strengthens mental and emotional health. Through its effective policies and schemes, the state government has ensured the availability of nutritious food for children - leading to a healthier, happier and brighter childhood.

As per the World Health Organizaton, nutrition is a critical part of health and development of children as it ensures improved infant, child and maternal health, strong immune systems, lower risk of non-communicable diseases and longevity.

It is a well known fact that healthy children learn better, are happier and grow up to become more productive, cashing upon opportunities to gradually break the cycles of poverty and hunger.

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State Government approves creation of separate State Cadre of Junior Office Assistant (IT)

State creates separate cadre of Junior Office Assistant (IT) under Directorate of Recruitment with a view to institutionalize a transparent, merit-based and uniform recruitment process and to ensure inter-departmental transfer and rational deployment of human resources across various government departments.

This initiative aims to ensure transparency and the need-based deployment of personnel to facilitate the smooth functioning of government departments’ operations.

Initially, the Government has created 300 posts of Junior Office Assistant (IT) as Job Trainees in the State Cadre. These posts will be filled through the Himachal Pradesh Rajya Chayan Aayog following the applicable reservation roster.

A Government spokesperson said that the Directorate of Recruitment will act as the Cadre Controlling Authority and will oversee postings, transfers, maintenance of service records and HR data management. The day-to-day supervision, performance assessment and attendance monitoring of these employees will remain with the respective Heads of Departments where they are posted. Cadre seniority will be maintained by the Directorate based on the general principles of seniority followed by the State Government.

The spokesperson further stated that the Government will frame Recruitment and Administrative Arrangements and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in consultation with the advisory departments. These will define the appointing, controlling and disciplinary authorities, as well as processes for requisition, posting and reporting channels before issuing advertisement for filling up these posts. A centralized Human Resource Management Information System (HRMIS) will also be developed through NIC to enable real-time monitoring of cadre strength, postings and service records.

The spokesperson added that this arrangement will not only ensure timely deployment of manpower to various departments but will also provide enhanced employment opportunities to the youth in a transparent and efficient manner.

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State to upgrade diagnostic facilities with an investment of Rs 213.75 Crore

The Himachal Pradesh Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, has prepared a comprehensive roadmap to strengthen diagnostic facilities across government health institutions in the state. An amount of Rs. 213.75 crore is being spent in this initiative to install state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment, enabling accurate and timely detection of diseases and ensuring early treatment for patients.

Delay in diagnosis often leads to worsening of medical conditions. Recognizing this, Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has directed the Health Department to implement a large-scale modernization plan. The Health Department has completed the blueprint for the project after several rounds of discussions led by the Chief Minister and feedback from doctors in medical colleges and other hospitals. The Chief Minister has interacted with doctors at Chamiyana hospital, IGMC Shimla and Tanda Medical College to discuss reforms in the health sector.

According to a spokesperson of the Health Department, five high-resolution MRI machines worth Rs. 95 crore are being procured for IGMC Shimla, Chamiyana Hospital, Nerchowk Medical College, Nahan Medical College and Chamba Medical College. In addition, two advanced CT imaging machines will be installed in each of the seven medical colleges at a total cost of Rs. 28 crore.

The plan also includes the installation of 35 digital radiography units worth Rs 8.75 crore five in each medical college, 14 ceiling-suspended DR X-ray machines worth Rs 14 crore and two advanced ultrasound imaging machines in each of the seven medical colleges at a total cost of Rs. 14 crore. Furthermore, 7 digital mammography units worth Rs. 14 crore in the seven medical colleges and eight Imaging Archive and Retrieval Technology systems worth Rs. 40 crore are being installed across the seven medical colleges and the Kamla Nehru Hospital in Shimla.

The spokesperson added that offering high-quality healthcare services to the people of the state within the state is a key priority for Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. The government’s vision is to ensure that patients do not have to travel outside Himachal Pradesh for expensive medical treatment, but instead receive affordable and advanced healthcare locally.

Alongside upgrading diagnostic infrastructure, the state government is also strengthening other aspects of the healthcare system. Vacant posts of doctors, paramedical staff and technicians are being filled to address manpower shortages. Special emphasis is being laid on professional training programs to enhance the skills and efficiency of medical professionals, he added.

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