DDC Pulwama reviews ICDS, Social Welfare sectors

• Stresses outcome-oriented service delivery, Women & Child Development, Welfare of Vulnerable Sections

PULWAMA: District Development Commissioner (DDC) Pulwama, Kuldeep Krishan Sidha, today chaired a detailed review meeting of the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) and Social Welfare sectors at the Meeting Hall of the Administrative Complex, Pulwama, to assess the implementation of nutrition, maternal and child welfare, early childhood development and social security schemes across the district.

A detailed  presentation was made before the Chair on ICDS covering its objectives, core services, supplementary nutrition, functioning of Anganwadi Centres, Bal Vidyalayas, Crèche Anganwadi Centres, Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), Ladli Beti and digital beneficiary services.

The DDC called for shifting ICDS towards a mission-mode and outcome-oriented approach, with a clear and time-bound action plan for nutrition and child development. He stressed that the department should clearly identify its nutrition planning, developmental interventions and measurable outcomes rather than limiting implementation to routine activities.

The DDC was informed that the four Poshan Projects of Pulwama viz. Pulwama, Tral, Pampore and Kakapora, cover 1,116 Anganwadi Centres, besides 151 Anganwadi Centres of Keller Project falling within the territorial jurisdiction of the district. Under supplementary nutrition, 36,897 eligible beneficiaries were covered through the four projects, of whom 31,129 received HCM/THR for at least 21 days during September 2026, achieving 84.36 per cent coverage.

The DDC directed closer tracking of pregnant women, lactating mothers and children and stressed timely follow-up of beneficiaries. He specifically directed that details of pregnant women be shared with the Health Department so that, in view of snowfall predictions, vulnerable pregnant women could be identified and shifted to hospitals in advance wherever required.

Emphasising the wider role of Anganwadi Workers, the DDC said their responsibilities extend beyond supplementary nutrition to hygiene, early childhood care, learning readiness, cognitive and behavioural development and the overall physical, social and emotional growth of children. He directed focused capacity development of Anganwadi Workers, particularly in hygiene, nutrition and childcare practices, and stressed that Anganwadi Centres should provide safe, attractive and stimulating environments for children.

The DDC directed all CDPOs to undertake fortnightly field visits to Anganwadi Centres with clearly defined objectives, covering infrastructure and rooms, hygiene, attendance, activities and the functioning and behaviour of Anganwadi Workers and Helpers. They were also directed to identify and map children requiring special attention, including children with special needs, and facilitate appropriate support through convergence. He stressed that field visits should lead to timely corrective action and measurable improvement in service delivery.

The importance of Bal Vidyalayas was also highlighted, with the DDC directing the department to assess what children are being taught and what they are actually learning, particularly in terms of learning habits, behaviour, communication and foundational cognitive skills. The presentation revealed that 43 Anganwadi Centres have been upgraded as Bal Vidyalayas, with 39 more proposed during 2026-27.

The DDC directed that recreational and play-based activities be incorporated to make the centres engaging for children and support their mental, social and emotional development. The functioning of six Crèche Anganwadi Centres was also reviewed, with directions for capacity development of the concerned workers and facilitation of additional outside support wherever required.

The DDC directed the department to ensure that all Anganwadi Centres remain functional and submit a status report within the stipulated timeframe. He sought suggestions from field functionaries on the design and facilities required at Anganwadi Centres, directing that future estimates suitably reflect the district's topography, climatic conditions, local culture and specific needs of children. The officers were asked to submit their inputs within five days so that an appropriate and child-friendly model could be developed.

The review also covered PMMVY, under which the district achieved 113.34 per cent of the overall target during 2025-26, covering 3,781 beneficiaries against a target of 3,336. For 2026-27, 2,204 beneficiaries had been covered as on October 20, 2026, against a target of 3,236.

The DDC directed the concerned officers to address gaps and improve coverage. The status of Ladli Beti was also reviewed, with 12,532 applications received since April 2022 and 12,495 processed. The DDC directed examination of rejected applications, rectification of deficiencies and expeditious clearance of eligible cases.

On digital services, the DDC directed immediate resolution of pending portal issues and set a target of achieving 100 percent APAAR ID coverage within two days. He also directed identification of eligible beneficiaries under ABHA and clearance of pending cases within the same timeframe. The presentation placed APAAR coverage at 96.64 percent, ABHA verification at 97.68 percent and Aadhaar verification at 99.99 percent.

The budgetary position was also reviewed, with the DDC directing close follow-up of pending financial matters and timely utilisation of available funds. The Treasury Officer was asked to bring pending cases requiring intervention to his notice so that these could be taken up with higher authorities for early resolution.

Reviewing the Social Welfare sector, the DDC was apprised that the department is functioning through four Social Welfare Tehsils covering eight Revenue Tehsils and 11 CD Blocks, catering to vulnerable and marginalised sections including old-age persons, women in distress, persons with disabilities and transgender persons. A detailed review of the Integrated Social Security Scheme (ISSS) revealed 47,357 beneficiaries, comprising 35,053 old-age persons, 4,577 women in distress, 7,708 persons with disabilities and 19 transgender persons, with pension payments reflected up to September 2026. The DDC directed timely processing and disbursement of eligible pension cases, regular verification of beneficiary records and prompt grievance redressal.

The National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) was also reviewed, covering 5,364 beneficiaries under its old-age, widow and disability pension components. The DDC stressed that eligible beneficiaries should not face avoidable delays and directed field functionaries to keep beneficiary databases updated and ensure timely disposal of pending cases. Progress under the Restructured State Marriage Assistance Scheme and Rehabilitation of Militancy Victims programme was also reviewed, with 203 beneficiaries presently receiving assistance under the latter. The DDC called for close monitoring and timely completion of documentation and verification.

The meeting further reviewed assistance to persons with special abilities, including provision of motorised tricycles, hearing aids, wheel chairs and tricycles. The DDC directed proper assessment and identification of eligible beneficiaries and expeditious processing of pending cases in coordination with the concerned agencies.

A comprehensive review of Mission Vatsalya was also undertaken, covering the Child Welfare Committee, Juvenile Justice Board, Child Helpline and District Child Protection Unit. The DDC directed stronger preventive and protective interventions, timely disposal of child protection cases and intensified awareness on child rights, child labour, abuse and exploitation.

The meeting was apprised that 428 cases had been registered, of which 367 had been disposed of, besides awareness programmes, anti-child labour and begging drives, home study reports, follow-ups and counselling. The DDC directed close follow-up of pending cases and timely rehabilitation and support to children requiring care and protection. The Sponsorship Scheme was also reviewed, with directions for wider identification of eligible children facing difficult family, social or economic circumstances.

The DDC reviewed the functioning of SANKALP–Hub for Empowerment of Women under Mission Shakti and directed stronger grassroots outreach, training, inter-departmental convergence and effective linkage of women and girls with welfare, livelihood, health and social security services. The functioning of the One Stop Centre (OSC), Pulwama, which has assisted 390 women since its establishment in October 2020, was also reviewed. The DDC stressed prompt response to cases of violence against women, effective counselling and legal assistance and regular follow-up in coordination with police and other concerned agencies.

The progress under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan was reviewed, with directions to sustain awareness and preventive activities in educational institutions, panchayats and urban areas while strengthening counselling, rehabilitation and community participation

Emphasising convergence, the DDC directed the Education Department, Social Welfare Department and Rural Development Department to jointly organise Community Based Events (CBEs) and strengthen coordinated interventions at the grassroots level. He called for a proactive, field-oriented approach across both sectors, with regular monitoring, updated beneficiary records, minimal pendency and transparent, time-bound delivery of welfare services.

The DDC assured that issues requiring district-level intervention would be addressed on priority, while matters requiring higher-level intervention would be taken up with the concerned authorities. He called upon all officers and field functionaries to work with greater coordination and accountability and ensure that reviews and field monitoring translate into tangible improvements in service delivery.

The meeting was attended by Additional District Development Commissioner (ADDC) Pulwama, Gulzar Ahmad Bhat; Chief Planning Officer (CPO) Pulwama, Aashiq Khanday; District Programme Officer, Poshan Pulwama; all CDPOs; District Social Welfare Officer (DSWO), Pulwama; Lead District Manager (LDM), Pulwama; and all Tehsil Social Welfare Officers (TSWOs), besides other concerned officers and field functionaries.