A significant milestone was reached as Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi hosted a national-level program on Anganwadi-Cum-Crèche under the Palna Scheme, unveiling the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) of the initiative on December 21, 2023. This transformative program, now integrated into the Samarthya sub-component of Mission Shakti since April 2022, aims to fill the childcare gap in urban areas, facilitating women’s active participation in the workforce.
Dignitaries and Inaugural Session
Union Minister of Women and Child Development and Minority Affairs, Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani chaired the inaugural session alongside the Minister of State for the Ministry of Women and Child Development and AYUSH, Dr. Munjpara Mahendrabhai. Esteemed attendees included Shri Indevar Pandey, Secretary, Ministry of Women & Child Development; Ms. Aarti Ahuja, Secretary, Ministry of Labour & Employment; Shri. Inder Deep Singh Dhariwal, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Corporate Affairs; and Ms. Rajul Bhatt, Joint Secretary, Department of Personnel & Training.
Addressing the Gap: Anganwadi-Cum-Crèche Scheme
Shri. Indevar Pandey highlighted the scheme’s urban-centric focus, addressing the childcare void in areas where familial support is scarce. Two additional Crèche workers and helpers will be deployed alongside existing Anganwadi workers and helpers under the Palna scheme, fostering institutional support for working women.
Ms. Aarti Ahuja emphasized the upward trend in women’s workforce participation, reaching 37% in 2022. Government initiatives, such as revisions in the Maternity Benefit Act, of 2017, reflect a commitment to enabling women’s workforce participation.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Perspective
Shri. Inder Deep Singh Dhariwal shed light on the importance of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in driving positive societal change, acknowledging businesses’ role in facilitating such transformations. Ms. Rajul Bhatt stressed the need for family-friendly workplaces, emphasizing the vital role women play in nation-building.
Unveiling the SOP and Future Outlook
The event featured a screening of a short film capturing the essence of the scheme. The SOP for Anganwadi-Cum-Crèches was officially released by Smt. Smriti Zubin Irani. This comprehensive framework delineates administrative hierarchy, roles and responsibilities, and a monitoring checklist, ensuring the efficient operation of the initiative.
Dr. Munjpara Mahendrabhai highlighted the government’s commitment to establishing 17,000 Crèches, with 5,222 approved to date. He expressed optimism that Anganwadi-Cum-Crèche would significantly impact women’s labor force participation, contributing to Bharat’s economic development.
