55,000 anganwadis to be equipped with infrastructure
VIJAYAWADA: The State Government has accorded top priority to providing nutritious food to children and developing Anganwadi centres across the State on par with pre-schools operated by private educational institutions, said Minister for Women Empowerment and Child Welfare Paritala Sunitha.Participating as the chief guest for 128th birth anniversary celebrations of former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru at Tummalapalli Kalakshetram here on Tuesday, Sunitha said that officials have made proposals to develop infrastructure at 55,000 anganwadis under 257 projects. The government has been providing eggs in the meals for children at anganwadis. Stern action would be initiated against contractors found violating norms, she informed.
The Minister also underlined the need for promoting girl child education to end gender discrimination. Girls should effectively utilize the schemes being implemented by the government to achieve self-reliance and economic independence, she said. Due to lack of awareness, girls in rural areas are becoming victims of child labour and also getting married at an early age, which is one of the major concerns for school drop outs. Girls should make use of all the opportunities to excel in their career, she added.
At the other end, Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) also celebrated Children’s Day by conducting a variety of cultural events at Indira Gandhi Municipal Corporation (IGMC) Stadium. Minister for Sports and Youth Empowerment Kollu Ravindra participated as chief guest. Along with MLA Bonda Umamaheswara, Ravindra presented awards and merit certificates to students of corporation schools for participating in several competitions conducted to mark Children’s Day. City Mayor Koneru Sreedhar, Municipal Corporation Commissioner J Nivas and other officials also present on the occasion.