Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar highlights the importance of child nutrition at the district-level Poshan Abhiyan celebrations.
CH NEWS
Belagavi
Women and Child Development Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar has called on society to strengthen the future of the nation by ensuring proper nutrition for children through the Poshan Abhiyan. She was speaking at the district-level Poshan abhiyan 2025 celebrations held at Gandhi Bhavan, jointly organised by the district administration, Zilla Panchayat, and the Women and Child Development Department on Tuesday.
The programme featured first feeding ceremony, initiation into learning, baby showers for pregnant women, distribution of nutrition kits to children, and mobility aids to beneficiaries with disabilities. Minister Hebbalkar said the campaign would be held across all districts throughout the month.
Highlighting the role of Anganwadi workers, the Minister credited them for the success of the ₹30,000-crore Gruhalakshmi scheme. She also announced policy changes that allow widows direct recruitment as Anganwadi workers without restrictions.
Promotions that had been pending for years are now being processed, Hebbalkar assured. Supervisors will be promoted to Assistant Child Development Project Officers, and eligible Anganwadi workers with higher qualifications will also be considered. A list of 400 candidates has already been sent to the Finance Department for approval, she said.
In a lighter moment, Hebbalkar invited all those present to attend the naming ceremony of her grandson next month, calling it a family celebration.
MLC Channaraj Hattiholi praised Hebbalkar’s efforts in securing central funding for 17,000 Saksham Anganwadi centres, noting that her leadership had elevated the department’s stature and ensured quality pre-primary education at Anganwadis.
The programme was attended by probationary IAS officer Abhinav Jain, departmental officers, elected representatives, Anganwadi workers, beneficiaries, and a large number of women and children.
“If any official faces harassment, they can call me directly. I will stand by employees both professionally and personally,” said Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar and announced a cash award of Rs 25,000 for Gram Panchayats declared free of child marriage.
