Expressing dissatisfaction over the slow pace of child nutrition and welfare schemes, Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat CEO Dr K Anand has urged officials to urgently revamp programmes run by the Women and Child Development Department.
At a district-level coordination meeting held on Thursday, Dr Anand pointed out that the district is falling behind others in executing the Supplementary Nutrition Programme (SNP). He instructed all Child Development Project Officers (CDPOs) to take swift action in enhancing the programme’s delivery and reach.
Special attention was directed towards the 20 children identified as severely malnourished, who must be admitted without delay to Nutrition Rehabilitation Centres (NRCs). Dr Anand also emphasized the importance of maintaining cleanliness and nutritious meals at these facilities. “Our mission must be to make Dakshina Kannada free from malnutrition,” he stated firmly.
To boost early childhood education, he proposed that children between ages 3 and 5 be identified and enrolled using support from women’s groups and gram sabhas. Meanwhile, officials from the Karnataka State Habitat Centre were asked to fast-track repair work on Anganwadi centres, while CDPOs were directed to keep a close watch on the progress.
In the second half of 2024, two child marriages were reported. Dr Anand asked gram panchayats to convene vigilance committees to prevent such incidents and also tackle teen pregnancies. Suspected cases must be reported immediately via Childline 1098.
Additionally, with 13 dowry harassment cases reported, he recommended legal awareness drives through Stree Shakti meetings and Child Protection Committees. He also sought immediate repairs to the District Bal Bhavan.