Milk and eggs will be provided in Anganwadis on all working days; Minister announces
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal has announced that milk and eggs will be provided to children in Anganwadis (government-run childcare centers) on all working days. This announcement was made in the last budget of the second Pinarayi Vijayan government. A budget of ₹80.90 crore has been allocated for this scheme. A total of ₹484.87 crore has been set aside for the welfare of women and children.
The minister also announced an accident insurance scheme for students from classes 1 to 10. He said that the scheme is expected to cost ₹15 crore annually, and the necessary funds have been allocated in the budget. Earlier in the day, Balagopal had told the media that the budget would give equal importance to children and senior citizens. In another major announcement, the Finance Minister said that victims of road accidents will receive free treatment for the first five days. This scheme, called the Life Saver Project, will be available at government hospitals and selected private hospitals. ₹15 crore has been allocated for this project. Health insurance was also announced for families not covered under the Karunya scheme. ₹50 crore has been allocated for this purpose. The budget also announced a salary hike for ASHA workers and Anganwadi staff. The minister said that the monthly salary of Anganwadi workers has been increased by ₹1,000, and the daily wage of school midday meal workers has been increased by ₹25.
