Parliament Question: Anganwadi-cum-Creches in Bihar

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3299 TO BE ANSWERED ON 07.08.2026 ANGANWADI-CUM-CRECHES IN BIHAR

3299. SHRI SUDAMA PRASAD:

SMT. KANIMOZHI KARUNANIDHI:

Will the Minister of WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

(a) the number of Anganwadi-cum-Creches (AWCCs) and standalone Creches approved, currently operational along with the total number of Creche workers under the Palna Scheme under Mission Shakti, district-wise in Bihar and Tamil Nadu;

(b) whether Bihar has no functional Creches according to various reports, if so, the reasons therefor;

(c) whether the Government has observed low utilisation of Central funds released under the Palna Scheme in said States, if so, the details thereof; and

(d) the steps taken by the Government to ensure that all sanctioned Creches become operational within a time-bound manner in said States, if so, the details thereof? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI SAVITRI THAKUR)

(a) to (d): The Ministry introduced Anganwadi cum Creches (AWCCs) under Palna Scheme w.e.f. 01 April 2022, for providing day care creche facilities in safe and secure environment to children (aged 06 months – 06 years) of all mothers irrespective of their employment status along with nutritional support, health and cognitive development of children, growth monitoring, immunization, education etc. Palna component under Samarthya vertical of Mission Shakti is a centrally sponsored scheme and is implemented with a funding ratio of 60:40 between Centre and State Governments and UTs with legislature except North East & Special Category States where ratio is 90:10. For UTs without legislature, 100% funding is

provided by the Central Government. Funds under the Scheme are released to the States/UTs in accordance with the guidelines of the Department of Expenditure through the Single Nodal Agency (SNA)/SNA-SPARSH mechanism of the Public Financial Management System

(PFMS).

The State Government of Bihar has informed that 504 AWCCs are operational in the State and State Government of Tamil Nadu has informed that no AWCCs are operational in the State. *****