Lok Sabha Question No. 3324 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-08-08
Subject: Anganwadi-cum-Creches  under Palna
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Smt. Dimple Yadav, Shri Pushpendra Saroj

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3324

TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.08.2025

## ANGANWADI-CUM-CRECHES UNDER PALNA

3324.  Smt. Dimple Yadav: Shri Pushpendra Saroj:

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

- (a) the  number  of  proposals  received  from  the  Government  of  Uttar  Pradesh  for establishment and operation of creches/Anganwadi-Cum-Creches (AWCCs) under Palna scheme during the last five years, district-wise;
- (b) the  number  of  creches/AWCCs  that  have  been  sanctioned  and  are  currently operational under the said scheme, in Uttar Pradesh district-wise;
- (c) the number of beneficiaries thereof during the last five years, district-wise; and
- (d) whether the Union Government has taken any initiative to urge State Governments to  assess  the  creche  needs  to  increase  proposals  and  establishments,  if  so,  the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d):   The Ministry of women and Child Development has introduced Palna Scheme under the Samarthya Vertical of Umbrella Mission Shakti for all States and UTs w.e.f. 01 April 2022, to provide day care facilities and protection to children.

Government's sustained initiatives on education, skilling and employment of women have resulted in increased opportunities for their employment, and more and more women are now in gainful employment, working within or outside their homes. Lack of proper day-care services is, often, a deterrent for women to go out and work. Hence, there is an urgent need for improved quality and reach of day care services/crèches for working women amongst all socio-economic groups both in the organized and unorganized sectors.

To address these difficulties faced by the working mothers in giving due care and protection to  their  children,  day-care  crèche  facilities  are  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. Anganwadi cum Crèche initiative aims to increase 'women work force participation' in the economy. The objective of Palna Scheme 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.

Programme Approval Board (PAB) meetings, are held with the State Governments and UT Administrations annually where it is emphasised that they may send proposal for opening more Anganwadi-cum-Creches and operationalize them. Proposals for establishment of AWCCs are received from the respective State Governments/UT Administrations who also contribute their corresponding share for the implementation of the Scheme. Till date, no proposal has been received from the State Government of Uttar Pradesh for operationalization of Anganwadi-cum-Creches(AWCCs) under Palna Scheme.

During the 15 th  Finance Cycle i.e. up to FY 2025-26, a total of 17,000 Anganwadi-cumCreches (AWCCs) have been envisioned for establishment under the Palna Scheme. Till date,  a  total  of  14,599  AWCCs  have  been  approved  by  the  Ministry  as  per  proposals received from various States/UTs

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