Lok Sabha Question No. 1875 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-06
Subject: Palna Scheme
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Shri Basavaraj Bommai

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1875

TO BE ANSWERED ON 06.12.2024

## PALNA SCHEME

## 1875.  SHRI BASAVARAJ BOMMAI:

Will the Minister of Women and Child Development be pleased to state:

- (a) the number of Anganwadi-cum-Crèches have been established so far under the Palna scheme and the timeframe by which the target of 17,000 facilities will be achieved;
- (b) the impact of above mentioned scheme on women's workforce participation and income, particularly those lacking family support for childcare;
- (c) the number of Anganwadi-cum-Crèches approved and established under the Palna Scheme in Karnataka till date;
- (d) the total amount of fund allocation to the Palna Scheme in Karnataka, and how much of this has been utilized till now;
- (e) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to address challenges related to the availability and quality of creche services for working mothers in both urban and rural regions; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI SAVITRI THAKUR)

(a) to (f): As part of the umbrella 'Mission Shakti', a total of 17,000 Anganwadi-cumCreches  (AWCCs)  have  been  approved  for  establishment  under  'Palna'  scheme, during the 15 th  Finance Cycle (i.e. upto FY 2025-26). Based on the proposals received from States/ UTs, a total of 10,609 AWCCs have been approved by the Ministry, out of which 1241 AWCCs have been established by the respective States/ UTs, as on 31.10.2024.

The Govt. of Karnataka has established 164 AWCCs out of the 248 AWCCs approved for the State of Karnataka. An amount of Rs. 1.60 crores has been released to the Govt. of Karnataka in the Financial Year 2023-24 for operationalization of AWCCs in the  State.  The  utilization  certificate  for  the  same  is  awaited  from  the  Govt.  of Karnataka.

There is an urgent need for improved quality and reach of day care services/crèches for  working  women  amongst  all  socioeconomic  groups  both  in  the  organized  and unorganized sectors, as lack of quality and affordable day-care services is an obstacle for  increased  female  workforce  participation.  This  much  needed  day-care  crèche facility is being provided through Palna scheme. Crèche services formalise the child care responsibilities hitherto considered as part of domestic work. Formalization of care  work  supports  the  'decent  work  campaign'  to  achieve  the  Sustainable Development Goal 8 - Decent work and economic growth. This will also enable more mothers, who will be free from unpaid child-care responsibilities, to take up gainful employment.

Anganwadi centres are the world's largest childcare institutions dedicated to providing essential care and support to children ensuring delivery of care facilities till the last mile. In a first of its kind approach, Ministry has extended the services of childcare through  Anganwadi  cum  Crèche  (AWCC).  This  will  ensure  whole  day  childcare support ensuring their well-being in a safe and secure environment. The objective of Palna is to provide quality crèche facility in safe and secure environment for children (from ages 6 months - 6 years), nutritional support, health and cognitive development of  children,  growth  monitoring  &  immunization.  Crèche  facilities  under  Palna  are provided to all mothers, irrespective of their employment status.

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