The Union Minister of State (MoS) for Women and Child Development and AYUSH undertook a comprehensive assessment of ongoing child welfare programs and development projects in the East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya. The visit aimed at reviewing the status of central schemes and evaluating their on-ground impact on children, women, and the broader community in one of the state’s most populous and diverse districts.
The Minister’s visit forms part of a broader national agenda to monitor the implementation of key welfare schemes in northeastern states, ensuring that centrally sponsored programs are efficiently executed and reach their intended beneficiaries. The tour included field inspections, administrative briefings, and interactions with local officials, Anganwadi workers, and beneficiaries.
The assessment focused primarily on flagship programs such as the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), POSHAN Abhiyaan, Mission Vatsalya, and infrastructure development initiatives under the Ministry of Women and Child Development. These programs are critical in addressing the health, nutrition, and education needs of children and women in remote and underserved areas.
During the visit, the Union MoS reviewed the functioning of Anganwadi Centres, examining services related to early childhood care, supplementary nutrition, immunization support, and health check-ups. The minister also evaluated the implementation of the POSHAN Tracker, a digital platform designed to monitor nutritional outcomes and service delivery at the grassroots level.
In East Khasi Hills, a region known for its ethnic diversity and hilly terrain, the accessibility of health and education services often presents logistical challenges. The minister’s itinerary included visits to rural and semi-urban Anganwadi Centres where infrastructural gaps, resource limitations, and human resource needs were discussed in depth with district officials. Special attention was paid to the nutritional status of children under six, adolescent girls, and expectant mothers.
In addition to child welfare programs, the Union Minister also assessed various livelihood and development projects being implemented under central and centrally-sponsored schemes, including those funded through the Ministry of Rural Development, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, and Ministry of AYUSH. The objective was to identify areas where inter-ministerial coordination could improve outcomes and to address policy bottlenecks.
The Minister’s visit included a review meeting with the District Administration, officials from the State Women and Child Development Department, and representatives from health and education sectors. Progress reports were presented on schemes such as Mission Shakti, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, and initiatives promoting adolescent health and education.
Field observations were also made at locations where AYUSH-based health initiatives have been introduced to integrate traditional and alternative healthcare systems into the mainstream public health infrastructure. Emphasis was placed on scaling awareness campaigns and wellness activities rooted in indigenous practices, which are already popular in many tribal communities of Meghalaya.
The review highlighted both progress and areas for improvement. While the digitization of services, training of Anganwadi workers, and distribution of nutrition kits have shown measurable results, challenges such as poor connectivity, shortage of trained staff, and infrastructure limitations continue to hinder optimal service delivery in certain remote blocks.
The visit concluded with a pledge of continued support from the central government in strengthening child welfare systems and accelerating developmental efforts in Meghalaya. The Union MoS stressed the importance of sustained coordination between state and central agencies and reiterated the government’s commitment to equitable growth and inclusion, particularly in the northeastern region.
The field visit to East Khasi Hills not only reaffirmed the Centre’s focus on monitoring grassroots implementation but also served as a platform for gathering local insights to inform future policy refinements. The engagement is expected to catalyze a more responsive administrative approach to child development and community empowerment in Meghalaya.
As the state continues to work toward bridging developmental gaps, such high-level reviews play a crucial role in ensuring that policies translate into impactful actions, particularly in regions with unique geographic and cultural dynamics like East Khasi Hills.