Minister for Social Welfare, Sakeena Itoo today said that the Government will take up the matter of relaxing criteria for establishing Anganwadi centres in far-flung areas with Union Government so that the necessary benefits also reach the vulnerable populations.

The Minister said this while replying to question raised by Legislator, Reyaz Ahmad Khan  in Legislative Assembly today.

The Minister informed the house that the criteria for establishing new Anganwadi Centre is  regulated by Union Ministry of Women and Child Welfare and for 400-800 souls-1 AWC, 800-1600 = 2 AWCs, 1600-2400 = 3 AWCs and thereafter a multiple of 800 is adopted

She also informed the house that currently there is no such proposal for establishment/opening of additional Anganwadi Centres in far flung areas of Jammu and Kashmir. She added that the matter with regard to opening of Anganwari centers in left out and far flung areas, that fulfill the criteria, shall be taken up with the GOI, Ministry of Women and Child Welfare.

Further, the Minister informed that all necessary steps/measures are being taken to ensure that the benefits of the schemes offered under Poshan 2.0 are reached to the target beneficiaries in all the areas including rural and inaccessible areas. She added that field functionaries have been asked to identify the vulnerable sections of the society so as to ensure inclusion of the left out targeted population.