Central Minister Annapurna Devi Chairs Review of Women and Child Development Plans in Kolkata

Central Minister Mrs. Annapurna Devi led a review session in Kolkata focused on the implementation of the Women and Child Development Ministry’s key initiatives across West Bengal. The meeting, attended by senior ministry officials, state government representatives, and civil‑society partners, aimed to assess progress, identify bottlenecks, and refine strategies for upcoming fiscal years. Minister Devi highlighted the ministry’s flagship schemes—such as the National Family Health Mission, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, and the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana—underscoring the need for stronger coordination between central and state agencies to maximize reach and impact.

The review underscored several priority areas: expanding access to early childhood care and education, strengthening maternal health services in rural districts, and enhancing livelihood support for women entrepreneurs. Minister Devi praised the state’s efforts in scaling up community‑based health workers and in promoting gender‑sensitive infrastructure, while urging a more data‑driven approach to monitor outcomes. She also called for increased investment in digital platforms that can streamline beneficiary identification and service delivery, a move that aligns with the ministry’s broader push toward e‑governance.

As West Bengal continues to grapple with persistent gender disparities and child malnutrition rates, the meeting’s outcomes are expected to inform policy adjustments and resource allocations for the next cycle. By convening stakeholders from across the administrative spectrum, the minister reinforced the ministry’s commitment to ensuring that national welfare programs translate into tangible improvements on the ground, thereby advancing the broader agenda of inclusive development in India.