National plan for better implementation of programmes for States and UTs

Union Minister for Women and Child Development Smriti  Irani has announced that her Ministry along with NITI Aayog will prepare a framework for a national plan for States and Union Territories.

She said, it will be prepared by early next year for better implementation of all the Central and States policies and programmes for women and children. The Minister was speaking at the two-day National Conference organized by the Ministry of Women and Child Development in New Delhi yesterday.

Ms Irani also suggested that a protocol may be developed for ranking of States and UTs doing commendable work for women and children and also ranking of childcare institutions in the States and UTs.

The conference was attended by Secretary Ministry of WCD and all senior officials of the Ministry and Secretaries and representatives working with the Departments of Women and Children in States and UTs. Various presentations were made on Anganwadi Services, Skill Gaps and Entrepreneurship Issues for Women and Children, Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao Mission and Child Protection Services and



Safety and Security of Women and Children in India. Discussions were held on various issues like non-utilization of funds, Child Care Institutions, implementation of Central Schemes like Mid-Day Meal, Aganwadi, POSHAN, lack of gender-specific data, feedback regarding implementation of Central Schemes for women and children and various constraints faced by WCD Departments in States and UTs. State Secretaries and officials also raised issues concerning their states and districts which require urgent attention of the WCD Ministry.

During a presentation by Adviser, Health and Nutrition in NITI Aayog regarding strategy of New India at 75-Status of Women and Children, it was decided that the issues being faced by women and children cannot be contained only within the Ministry of WCD but other Ministries like food and public distribution, health, urban development, law and justice and home may also be actively involved. The Minister urged State Governments to ensure and involve officers from all departments for better implementation of legislation and Central and State Schemes related to women and children.