Vijayawada: Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has instructed officials to review temporary certificates issued by psychiatrists for mentally disabled pensions.
During a review of the child and women’s protection department in Tadepalli on Monday, the chief minister said even temporary certificates issued by doctors should be taken into consideration for granting pensions to people with mental disabilities and that the eligibility list should be updated by July and December. Those with temporary certificates will be eligible for pensions in December.
A Bhavitha center in each Assembly constituency should be upgraded for people with disabilities and, if necessary, services should be extended to the village and ward secretariats themselves.
Special emphasis should be placed on monitoring juvenile homes under the supervision of an IAS special agent, he said.
The School Maintenance Fund (SMF) and Toilet Maintenance Fund (TMF) should also be replicated for Anganwadis, the Chief Minister said, adding that special attention should be given to Anganwadi students to train them to pronunciation and that the program should be strictly implemented in PP. (pre-primary)-1 and PP-2 while bilingual textbooks should be in place. The chief minister, who also reviewed the food procurement and distribution mechanism, said it should be foolproof, adding that students should be provided with quality food and proper controls should be maintained.
It was decided in principle that the purchase and distribution should be done through Markfed on a pilot basis with a third party. Stating that child marriages should be prevented, he said Kalayanamasthu would play an important role in this regard.
Only sortex rice should be used in midday meals at anganwadi centers, the chief minister said, adding that special attention should be given to achieving the SDGs (sustainable development goals). The telephone number to lodge a complaint must be displayed in all anganwadis.
Officials said all vacancies in anganwadi centers will be filled by September 30 and the chief minister said the process should be conducted in a transparent manner.
Minister of Women and Child Welfare KV Ushasri Charan, Special CS B Rajasekhar, Principal Secretary Women and Child Welfare Department AR Anuradha, Markfed Commissioner PS Pradyumna, Director of Welfare Department Siri women and children and other leaders attended the meeting.
