Suposhit Gram Panchayat Abhiyaan serves as a powerful catalyst for change, inspiring communities to embrace sustainable practices and innovative approaches in their fight[...]

The Suposhit Gram Panchayat Abhiyaan was launched on 26th December, 2024 with the objective of accelerating progress towards a malnutrition-free Bharat. States and Union Territories nominated top performing Gram Panchayats based on data available on the Poshan Tracker Application, subject to a ceiling of 10% of the total Gram Panchayats in each State/UT.

Eligibility conditions for nomination included:

• Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) functional for at least 21 days per month during the last quarter;
• A minimum of 50 registered beneficiaries per Gram Panchayat across all categories (Pregnant Women, Lactating Mothers and children aged 0-6 years);
• At least 80% AWCs with drinking water facilities;
• At least 70% AWCs with toilet facilities;
• At least 90% growth measurement efficiency across all AWCs in the Gram Panchayat.

Detailed methodology is available at: https://wcd.gov.in/documents/uploaded/1735534720_aP3UWRtx9R.pdf

The Suposhit Gram Panchayat (GP) Incentive has a grant of Rs.1 lakh per GP to the top 1000 qualified GPs to utilize the incentive money for the following:

1. a. 25% to Anganwadi Workers & Helpers.
2. b. 25% to GP for community mobilization & increasing beneficiary enrollment in AWCs.
3. c. 50% for nutrition related activities at the AWCs including development of Poshan Vatikas, value addition to SNP, etc

The assessment framework under the guidelines of Suposhit Gram Panchayat Abhiyaan is outcome-oriented and data-driven, using indicators in the Poshan Tracker Application. Measurable improvements were assessed for the following:

• Reduction in Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM), Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM), severe stunting and severe underweight among children;
• Improved nutritional status of pregnant women and lactating mothers.
• Increased regularity in supplementary nutrition coverage for pregnant women, lactating mothers and children aged 6 months to 6 years;
• Improved infrastructure availability, including functional toilets, drinking water and electricity in Anganwadi Centres;
• Enhanced efficiency of measurement for height and weight of the Anganwadi beneficiaries.

Gram Panchayats demonstrating sustained improvements across above indicators qualified for the incentive awards.

As per the guidelines, the significance of the Suposhit Gram Panchayat Abhiyaan extends far beyond mere recognition of achievements. It serves as a powerful catalyst for change, inspiring communities to embrace sustainable practices and innovative approaches in their fight against malnutrition through a positive competition. It focuses on improving nutritional outcomes through practices such as use of millets in Hot Cooked Meals (HCM) & Take Home Ration (THR), development of Poshan Vatikas/nutri-gardens in AWCs, using its produce for preparation of HCM for the beneficiaries, diet diversity and use of local food etc.

In addition, best practices emerging from the Anganwadi Centres are regularly documented and disseminated for wider adoption.

This information was given by the Union Minister for Women and Child Development Smt. Annpurna Devi in Rajya Sabha in reply to a question today.

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SS