Gandhinagar, February 26 – The Gujarat government has allocated ₹7,690 crore to the Women and Child Development sector in the state budget, with a focus on strengthening nutrition initiatives, expanding anganwadi infrastructure, and introducing technology-based monitoring systems.
This allocation is part of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel's leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "Naya Bharat" vision.
Speaking in Gandhinagar, Women and Child Welfare Minister Dr. Manishaben Vakil said that the budget reflects the government's commitment to improving the nutritional and developmental outcomes of women and children.
"To further strengthen Prime Minister Modi's "Naya Bharat" vision, a provision of ₹7,690 crore has been made in the women and child welfare sector," Dr. Vakil said.
She stated that ₹360 crore has been allocated for the construction of 2,000 new anganwadi centers across the state to strengthen infrastructure.
"The new anganwadi centers will be developed with a focus on child-friendly facilities. They will be equipped with modular furniture, RO water purifiers, LED television screens, and rainwater harvesting facilities," she said.
In tribal regions, the government will expand the "Doodh Sanjeevani Yojana" to 53 components.
Dr. Vakil said that ₹38.64 crore has been allocated to increase the fat content in milk provided under the scheme from 1.5 per cent to 3 per cent. "As a pilot project in Narmada, Dahod, and Dang, the fat content will be increased to 4.5 per cent," she added.
To address the issue of underweight children, ₹16 crore has been allocated for "Poshan Sangam" programs.
"These programs will include regular health check-ups and home visits to ensure improvement in the condition of underweight children," the minister said.
She further announced the establishment of a "Poshan Progress and Monitoring Centre" for intensive monitoring of anganwadi centers and nutrition levels.
An artificial intelligence-based image processing system has also been developed for recording attendance and monitoring children at anganwadis.
"This AI-based attendance system will enhance transparency and real-time monitoring," she said.
To prevent the diversion of rations and enable digital tracking, QR codes will be placed on packaging under the Supplementary Nutrition Programme–Take Home Ration (THR).
"The QR code system will help curb ration theft and ensure that benefits reach the intended beneficiaries," Dr. Vakil said.
The budget also provides ₹1.03 crore for the "Balika Panchayat Yojana," aimed at developing leadership qualities among adolescent girls and raising awareness about Panchayati Raj institutions and child rights.
"The best-performing Balika Panchayats at taluka, district, and state levels will be honoured," she said.
