Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (EP)

Udupi, Jan 9: “The centre’s prestigious Nutrition Campaign will be started in the state in next fifteen days. It is intended to raise state women’s and children’s development department to leading position after achieving success in the campaign within five months,” said minister of empowerment, differently abled and senior citizens Shashikala Jolle. She was speaking after inaugurating the building of the office of deputy director of women’s and children’s development on Thursday at Brahmagiri.

“Anganwadi assistants and activists will be provided smart phones to register children’s attendance, physical and mental growth through it in order to make it reach Bengaluru and Delhi. The issues and deficiencies in the department will be solved in stages. The salary of Anganwadi assistants is increased by Rs 2,000 which will be credited to their accounts by the tenth of the month. Their increment, transfer and appointment processes are taken up during the last four months. As much as 60% of their vacancies will be filled soon. The workers should be addressed by better designations which should be respectful. There are plans to reduce their pressure at work. All the deputy directors in the state are provided personality development training which will be extended to Anganwadi assistants in the future. An eye will be kept on Anganwadis by face recognition attendance for children and biometric system to prevent false information and absence,” she said.

Zilla panchayat vice president Sheela K Shetty said that women have left a mark on all the sectors shouldering the responsibility of housewife and employee. “Anganwadi worker is like second mother for children with responsibility to provide for all their needs,” she said.

MLA K Raghupathi Bhat that violations in Udupi district Anganwadis are less when compared to other districts. “Women self-help groups should provide loans to women at zero per cent interest by tabling the proposal in next budget,” he said.

Zilla panchayat president Dinakar Babu, taluk panchayat president Neeta Gururaj Poojary, DC G Jagadeesh, women and children development department deputy director R Sheshappa, social justice committee president Shobha G Putran, Nirmithi centre project director Arun Kumar, Zilla panchayat member Geetanjali Suvarna, Reshma Uday Shetty, Shilpa G Suvarna and others were present.

Veena Vivekanand welcomed and compered the programme. Shobha Shetty rendered the vote of thanks.