Lok Sabha Question No. 2 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-02
Subject: Creches in Anganwadi
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Vellalath Kochukrishnan Nair. Sreekandan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN & CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 2

TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.02.2024

## 'CRECHES IN ANGANWADI'

## 2. SHRI V.K. SREEKANDAN

Will the Minister of WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  aiming  at  establishing  17,000  creches  in  Anganwadis across the country, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government is considering deputing two additional creche workers in each Anganwadi, if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has released a new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for Anganwadi-Cum-Creche Centres being set up under the Palna scheme, if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the Government has approved the setting up of 5,222 creches; and
- (e) if so, the time by which the remaining creches out of the planned 17,000 are likely to be approved?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a)  to (e):  Considering the difficulties faced by the working mothers in giving due childcare and protection to their children, the Government of India has decided to provide the day-care créche facilities through the component of Palna . Ministry of Women and Child Development has introduced Palna sub-scheme under Mission Shakti implemented for all States/UTs w.e.f. 01 April 2022, for providing day care facilities and protection to children. Palna is a Centrally sponsored  scheme  ensuring  the  participation  of  State/UT  government  for  day-to-day monitoring and proper implementation of scheme.

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.  Anganwadi  cum  Crèche  initiative  aims  to  increase  the women work force  participation  in  the  economy.  The  objective  of Palna component  is  to provide quality creche 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,  education  etc.  The  Government  has  made  provisions  for  2 additional  staff  in  AWCC  (one  Creche  Worker  and  one  Creche  Helper),  in  addition  to  the already existing Anganwadi Worker and Anganwadi Helper.

Proposals for establishment and operation of Creches are received from the respective State Governments/UT Administrations, who are also responsible for contributing their corresponding share for the implementation of the Scheme. During the 15 th  Finance Cycle, a total of 17,000 AWCCs have been envisioned to be set-up, out of which, 5631 AWCCs have been approved till date, as per proposals received from various States/UTs. The Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for AWCCs has been released by this Ministry on 21.12.2023, and a copy of which is available on the website of the Ministry.

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