Meghalaya has 6,188 Anganwadi centres across the state, with 666 of them operating from rented or temporary buildings, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma informed the Assembly on Tuesday. Sangma stated that 5,522 Anganwadi centres are located in buildings owned either by the government or the community. The government is taking up construction and upgradation of Anganwadi centres in convergence with the Community and Rural Development (CNRD) department and under the Meghalaya Early Childhood Development Mission.
Responding to a supplementary question from TMC MLA Dr Mizanur Kazi, Sangma informed the House that Selsella has 299 Anganwadi centres, of which 211 are owned and 27 operate from rented buildings. The Chief Minister also provided details on the availability of basic facilities in Anganwadi centres, stating that water supply is available in 1,371 centres, while 561 have toilet facilities. On kitchen facilities, Sangma said the government did not have details on whether each centre had a separate kitchen, but all centres providing hot cooked meals have a space where food can be prepared.
Under the Anganwadi Services Supplementary Nutrition Programme, supplementary nutrition is provided for 25 days a month, including hot cooked meals for children aged three to six years and take-home rations for children aged six months to three years, pregnant and nursing mothers, and adolescents. The government has also taken steps to expand the hot cooked meal programme, with meals to be provided twice a week along with eggs.
The Chief Minister clarified that the 666 rented or temporary centres are separate from the 2,148 centres where construction or renovation is currently being undertaken. Of the 2,148 centres, 1,670 buildings have already been completed, with ₹64 crore already spent on the project, and an additional ₹83 crore sanctioned for the remaining work.
Sangma acknowledged that the government faces difficulties in constructing permanent buildings for the 666 rented or temporary centres mainly due to the lack of available land, particularly in urban areas. He also assured that regular checks are carried out by the department to monitor the quality, timely implementation, and distribution of nutrition, and corrective action would be taken whenever specific problems are brought to the government’s notice.
The Chief Minister cited National Family Health Survey data showing a decline in child stunting, with the percentage of stunted children below five years falling from 46.5% to around 36% over the last three years. The government has also introduced the Thousand Days Programme, which tracks a child’s health from conception until the age of two and provides interventions at different stages. Sangma said the government aims to bring stunting and malnutrition levels down further, including below the national average.
Leader of Opposition and former Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma raised concerns over high levels of anaemia among pregnant women, particularly in East Garo Hills. Sangma agreed to conduct a special study and audit of maternal health in East Garo Hills, saying the district would receive special attention. He also said Meghalaya’s maternal mortality rate has declined by 55%, which he described as the highest reduction in the country.
