CM orders regular inspection of anganwadi centres in city

Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday chaired a crucial review meeting with the Department of Women and Child Development at the Delhi Secretariat, outlining a series of key measures to boost welfare initiatives for women and children across the Capital.

After assessing the progress of existing schemes, the Chief Minister emphasised that empowering women and ensuring a safe, healthy and bright future for every child were fundamental to building a strong society.

“The dream of a ‘Viksit Delhi’ will only be realised when our women and children are safe, empowered and self-reliant,” she said.

During the meeting, the Chief Minister directed all officers concerned to conduct regular inspection of anganwadi centres to monitor conditions on the ground. She mandated comprehensive redevelopment of these centres to make them safer, cleaner and more child-friendly. Officials were also instructed to identify locations for establishing new anganwadi units to expand the reach of services.

Reviewing the functioning of One Stop Centres (OSCs), which assist women in distress, Gupta ordered the immediate strengthening of existing facilities and directed the department to expedite the creation of eleven new OSCs — one in each district of Delhi — to bolster women’s safety infrastructure.

Highlighting the need for enhanced childcare facilities, the Chief Minister announced the establishment of 500 new palna centres across the city. Priority will be given to industrial areas, mandis and construction sites, where working mothers face significant childcare challenges. The palna centres aim to provide safe crèche facilities along with nutritional and health support, growth monitoring and immunisation for children, accessible to all mothers regardless of employment status.

In another significant move to support working women, Gupta announced that two new “sakhi niwas” (working women hostels) will be set up in North-West Delhi and Shahdara districts. These hostels, equipped with daycare facilities for children, will offer safe and convenient accommodation to working women and those pursuing higher education or training, even in semi-urban and rural areas.

Reiterating her government’s commitment, the Chief Minister said true empowerment of women and children goes beyond policy, it requires sensitive, effective and timely implementation. “Every woman and every child is entitled to dignity, security and opportunities to grow,” she added.

Delhi