Women and Child
Development
Health and development of mothers and children is critical for the well being of the State.
The priority for the sector is reflected in the tremendous increase in the budgetary allocation
which has increased from Rs. 299.57 crore in 2006-07 to Rs. 2075.30 crore in 2012-13.
Anganwadi centers are the primary infrastructure of service delivery. Anganwadi centers in the
state are providing ready to cook Energy Dense, Fortified Blended Food as take home rations to
meet supplementary nutritional needs of children under six years of age, adolescent girls,
pregnant and lactating mothers. These energy dense premixes are fortified with 8 essential
micronutrients. 12,60,610 children in the age group 3-6 years in 18,543 anganwadis are being
provided hot cooked food prepared by 48,281 Self Helped Groups (Matru Mandals).
Additionally 11.21 lakh children are provided with locally available seasonal fruits twice a week.
Fortified and flavored double toned pasteurized milk is being given twice a week to the children
in anganwadis in ten blocks of six tribal districts under the Doodh Sanjivani Yojana in partnership
with local dairies.
Gujarat State Nutrition Mission
Mobile Aanganwadi Vans
Nand Ghar
Gujarat State Nutrition Mission has been set up under the Chairmanship of the Chief Minister for the
improvement of the nutritional status of the people through a multi sectoral approach to nutrition and
large scale convergence across departments. Various steps have been taken to involve
community participation with new initiatives like Tithi Bhojan, Nutrition Rallies, Rasoi Shows,
competitions for healthy babies, healthy adolescent girls and healthy pregnant women.
To address the needs of socially excluded population in interior areas mobile anganwadis vans have
been started. These vans are equipped with all facilities like weighing scale, growth chart,
pre-schools and medicine kits. 36 such vans are functioning.
The State has taken a special initiative to strengthen ICDS infrastructure through construction
of anganwadis with proper ventilation, kitchen area and toilet facilities to provide a conducive
environment to children. In the last four years Rs. 350 crore was provided for construction of
10,960 Nand Ghars. An additional 22,504 Nand Ghars were built through Public Private Partnership.
A provision of Rs. 551.91 crore is made for 12,045 new anganwadi Nand Ghars during 2012-13, out of
which 4213 will be in urban areas.
