An informative and impactful one-day workshop took place under the able guidance of Amneet P. Kumar, Commissioner and Secretary of the Department of Women and Child Development (WCD), Haryana at PWD Rest House Sector 1 here today.
The workshop, aimed at strengthening the state’s approach to combating malnutrition, brought together an esteemed joint audience comprising Additional District Commissioners, Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) District Programme Officers (DPOs), Child Development Project Officers (CDPOs), and Poshan staff.
The workshop delved into the urgent issue of malnutrition that prevails in Haryana, emphasizing the need for strategic actions to address this critical concern. It also provided a platform for participants to gain insights into the status of malnutrition across Haryana’s districts and the state as a whole Amneet P Kumar along with other participating ADC officially launched the Millet-based recipe booklet.
During the workshop, attendees were briefed on the outcomes of the North Zone Regional Meeting held on September 26, 2023, under the chairpersonship of Amit Shah, the Minister of Home Affairs, and the Minister of Cooperation. The discussion highlighted that the state’s performance in the North Zone states did not meet expectations, indicating a pressing need to strengthen existing schemes and field monitoring processes.
To set the course for action, a detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) was shared with Additional District Commissioners, outlining their roles and responsibilities in tackling malnutrition in Haryana. The SOP serves as a blueprint for efficient implementation and monitoring of initiatives under Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0.
Monika Sharma, Assistant Director of the National Institute of Public Cooperation and Child Development (NIPCCD), Mohali, provided an in-depth understanding of the guidelines and objectives of Mission Poshan 2.0. Her presentation shed light on the critical aspects of this mission, further empowering the participants with knowledge and strategies to address malnutrition effectively.
Addressing the distinguished audience, Amneet P. Kumar stressed the importance of regular monitoring of Poshan schemes, regular supply of district-level procurement of ration and auditing food quality. She emphasized the need for strong collaboration and convergence among the Health, Education, and WCD departments. Furthermore, the role of District Commissioners and Poshan staff in driving this change was underscored. The core message resonated loud and clear: to transform the current nutritional landscape in Haryana through stringent monitoring by Poshan staff, increase field visits from state/district departments, additional district commissioners and real-time data updates on Poshan tracker and collaborative actions across converging departments.
The one-day workshop under the guidance of Amneet P. Kumar has provided a robust foundation for a collective effort to combat malnutrition in Haryana. It has paved the way for increased awareness, knowledge, and commitment among stakeholders to drive positive change in the state’s nutritional scenario.
