Early Times Report
BANDIPORA, Sept 7: A meeting of the District Nutrition Committee (DNC) and District Level Monitoring Committee of the Supplementary Nutrition Programme (SNP) under POSHAN Abhiyaan was held today at Bandipora, under the chairpersonship of District Development Commissioner Bandipora, Indu Kanwal Chib.
The meeting reviewed the implementation of nutrition interventions, beneficiary coverage, infrastructure at Anganwadi Centres (AWCs), quality of supplementary nutrition, health convergence and digital monitoring mechanisms. The DDC stressed the importance of effective inter-departmental convergence to address malnutrition, ensure timely delivery of benefits and maintain prescribed quality and safety standards.
On the Occasion, District Programme Officer, ICDS, Yaar Ali Khan, made a detailed presentation before the committee, highlighting the progress achieved under POSHAN Abhiyaan and the Supplementary Nutrition Programme in the district.
The presentation covered beneficiary coverage, digital verification, AWC infrastructure, food safety and quality control, procurement mechanisms, health convergence, Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE), as well as initiatives aimed at strengthening transparency and community participation.
The meeting was informed that over 32,250 beneficiaries are enrolled on the Poshan Tracker across Bandipora, Hajin, Sumbal and Gurez projects, including around 28,450 children, 1,958 lactating mothers and 1,840 pregnant women. Near-universal Aadhaar and mobile verification of beneficiaries was also reported, strengthening transparency and digital monitoring of nutrition services.
It was further informed that all 819 Anganwadi Centres in the district have functional Poshan Vatikas, while most centres have functional toilets, access to clean drinking water and electricity. All AWCs have also been geo-tagged and integrated with the Gati Shakti Portal through QR-based verification. As part of the mentorship initiative, each AWC has been adopted by a Gazetted Officer for guidance and quality monitoring.
On food safety and quality control, the meeting was informed that 818 of 819 AWCs have FSSAI registration/licensing, with regular sampling through accredited laboratories. The meeting also noted an 87.05 per cent FRS-based distribution rate for Take Home Ration, aimed at enhancing transparency in beneficiary delivery.
The meeting highlighted significant progress under the Kuposhan Mukt Bharat initiative, with 96.65 per cent of panchayats in the district eligible for ‘Kuposhan Mukt’ status. Health convergence includes screening of children for the 4 Ds, along with haemoglobin testing, while AYUSH interventions, yoga sessions and medicinal plant cultivation in Poshan Vatikas are also being promoted.
The meeting was also informed that 50 Anganwadi Workers have been trained as Master Trainers in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) and 304 Vidyarambh Certificates have been issued to children transitioning from AWCs to Class-I. A notable milestone was the conduct of the first-ever Social Audit of ICDS in District Bandipora, covering various Halqa Panchayats. Using a 135-item questionnaire, the process gathered direct community feedback and strengthened transparency, accountability and grassroots participation in nutrition service delivery.
The DDC directed the concerned departments to maintain regular field-level monitoring, close coordination and timely corrective action, with particular focus on ensuring quality nutrition services to children, pregnant women and lactating mothers. She stressed that sustained convergence and community participation are essential to achieving the goal of a malnutrition-free Bandipora. |
