Centre lauds Meghalaya’s women & child devpt initiatives

Shillong: Union minister of women and child development, Annapurna Devi, visited Ri Bhoi district Saturday to review the implementation of various women and child development initiatives and assess the region's progress under key centrally sponsored govtschemes. She commended Meghalaya govt's efforts, including the Early Childhood Development Mission and the Chief Minister's Safe Motherhood Scheme, ensuring to further take the mission forward. "This initiative of the govt is one of the best practices and we will see how this can be replicated in other aspirational districts of the country to further improve the health of the mother and child," she said and expressed satisfaction with the district's achievements."Ri Bhoi's aspirational district indicators are very promising. Today, the district ranks among the top in several indicators for women and children," she said and assured her support to address the gaps in some indicators and tackle the challenges.The minister further exhorted the state officials' efforts and assured the Centre's support, stating to take forward proposals and to ensure a follow-up.Highlighting the Centre's focus on the northeast under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, she said, "Today, PM Modi has placed a strong focus on the northeast region, and a collective effort has been made across all departments including women and child development".The minister visited some of the villages in the district as she engaged with families at the Transit Home and interacted with pregnant mothers at the primary health centre in Byrnihat.She also visited the anganwadi centre at Saiden village, where she interacted with caretakers of the centre and children enrolled in preschool services and supplemental nutrition programme activities.The minister reviewed the implementation of the schemes and met the representatives of all the departments and district administration.Discussions covered challenges, achievements, and progress on annual performance targets, along with funds allocation and utilisation from NITI Aayog and the North Eastern Council, among other schemes and initiatives.Hinting on the success of the Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP), the minister said due to the concerted efforts made under ADP, previously neglected districts, including those in remote locations, have shown major successes in propelling development in key indicators.