CHENNAI: Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Monday announced that infrastructure in anganwadis (child centres) would be upgraded and child-friendly toilets would be provided, together at a cost of Rs 98.60 crore. Besides, the 28,596 vacancies in noon-meal and anganwadi centres in the State would be filled very soon.Making a suo-motu statement in the House, the CM said to ensure the safety of children in the age group of 0-6 years, adolescent girls, pregnant women, lactating mothers and old-age pensioners, all numbering over 28 lakh and utilising the anganwadi centres, the government had decided to improve the infrastructure facilities at the 17,821 anganwadi centres at a cost of `47.61 crore, under the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS). Further, 43,345 centres would be provided with power connections, lighting and electric fan facilities for the comfort of children and other beneficiaries at the centres, both during summer and winter, the Chief Minister said and added that the government would spend ` 27.21 crore towards this. To inculcate healthy practices among the children and to encourage the habit of using toilets from a very young age, child-friendly toilets would be created in anganwadi centres. These toilets would be designed in such a way that the children could use them easily. In the current year, child-friendly toilets would be established a a cost of ` 23.78 crore, in 29,727 anganwadi centres, the CM said.Besides catering to six months to six-year-old children, the ICDS centres provide noon meal to old-age pensioners round the year, a first of its kind in the country, she recalled.
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