The state government in the past few years is expanding the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)  project in Autonomous District Council (ADC) areas  to improve the nutritional and health status of children, said Minister Tinku Roy.

Replying the calling attention notice regarding fulfillment of Anganwadi centres (AWC)  in ADC areas raised by Tipra-Motha MLA Philip Kumar Reang on the last day of the Budget session of Tripura Assembly on Tuesday, Social Welfare and Social Education Minister Tinku Roy said that at present under 56 ICDS projects across the state, a total of 10,222 Anganwadi centres are functioning and 44 AWC are working in Bru rehabilitation camps.

He said that among the ICDS projects, 18 area situated in Tribal Sub-plan areas and six ICDS projects in Chawmanu, Manu, Dumboor, Damcherra, Jampui Hills and Kanchanpur are being running by the administration of Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC).

Among the total of 10,222 AWCs, 3,411 AWCs are in Tribal Sub-Plan areas and recently, the Union government under PM-JANMAN scheme has approve for setting up 77 more AWCs in ADC areas, said Minister and added that for setting up  53 more AWCs in different tribal areas has also been approved by the centre and among these, 19 AWCs in Dasda Block, 2  in Jampui Hill block and 6 more in Dumboor  will soon start functioning.

He also informed the House that the “Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan”  scheme, the state government has sent a proposal to the Women and Child Welfare Union Ministry for opening of 123  more AWCs in tribal dominated areas of the state.