Mumbai, February 25 – Maharashtra Minister of Women and Child Welfare, Aditi Tatkare, stated on Wednesday that 192 Gram Panchayats from the state have secured positions among the top 1,000 performing Gram Panchayats in the country – the highest representation by any state in the 'Suvidha Gram Panchayat Campaign'.
This milestone reflects the state's strong commitment to improving nutrition outcomes at the grassroots level, she said.
The 'Suvidha Gram Panchayat Campaign' is a national initiative aimed at improving nutritional indicators by converging the efforts of the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), health departments, local self-governments, and community stakeholders. The campaign focuses on reducing malnutrition, improving maternal and child health, strengthening Anganwadi services, and ensuring the last-mile delivery of nutrition interventions, the minister explained.
"Maharashtra's success is the result of coordinated action, robust monitoring mechanisms, community participation, and the dedicated efforts of ICDS officers, supervisors, Anganwadi workers, and frontline functionaries across districts," said Minister Tatkare. "Focused interventions under the POSHAN campaign, strengthened growth monitoring, behavioral change communication, and targeted outreach to vulnerable beneficiaries have played a crucial role in achieving these outcomes."
She congratulated all officers and field functionaries for their tireless efforts and reiterated the government's commitment to building a 'Suvidha Maharashtra' through sustained policy support, innovation, and accountability.
"This achievement not only sets a national benchmark but also serves as a strong motivation to further intensify nutrition-focused initiatives across the state," she remarked.
According to the department, the 'Suvidha Gram Panchayat Campaign' serves as a powerful catalyst for change, inspiring communities to embrace sustainable practices and innovative approaches in their fight against malnutrition. It focuses on improving nutritional outcomes through practices such as the use of millets in Hot Cooked Meals (HCM) & Take Home Ration (THR), the development of Poshan Vatikas/nutri-gardens in Anganwadi Centres (AWCs), using its produce for preparation of HCM for the beneficiaries, and promoting diet diversity and the use of local food. In addition, best practices emerging from the Anganwadi Centres are regularly documented and disseminated for wider adoption.