SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Tuesday launched a QR code-based Anganwadi Centre (AWC) initiative aimed at improving transparency, digital governance and public access to services under Mission POSHAN across the Union Territory.
The initiative, launched during a review meeting of the Social Welfare Department’s Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme, assigns a unique QR code to every Anganwadi Centre, allowing citizens to instantly access information on services, infrastructure and beneficiaries.
Chairing the meeting, Dulloo said technology should be used to strengthen governance at the grassroots level and improve citizen engagement. He also reviewed the progress of ECCE initiatives being implemented across the Union Territory.
Commissioner Secretary, Social Welfare Department, Sarmad Hafeez said the QR code platform has been developed in collaboration with the Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics (BISAG-N) and the Information Technology Department. He said each code provides details about Anganwadi workers and helpers, beneficiaries, supplementary nutrition, infrastructure, government schemes, events and other services being delivered at the centre.
The Chief Secretary directed the Social Welfare Department to work with BISAG-N to integrate the QR code ecosystem with the School Education Department’s APAAR records, the Health Department’s Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) and the U-WIN immunisation platform. He said integrating educational, health and immunisation records on a single digital platform would enable comprehensive tracking of every child’s development and improve coordination among departments.
Emphasising quality early childhood education, Dulloo asked the department to study play-based learning models developed by reputed institutions across the country and adapt them to suit the socio-cultural needs of children in Jammu and Kashmir. He said innovative and evidence-based learning modules would strengthen the ECCE framework and support the holistic development of children, particularly those with special learning and developmental needs.
During the meeting, Managing Director, Mission POSHAN, Sajad Hussain Ganai, presented the department’s initiatives to strengthen ECCE through digital integration, infrastructure development, capacity building of frontline workers, community participation and convergence of health, nutrition and education services.
Officials informed the meeting that all beneficiaries have been enrolled under Aadhaar, while ABHA and APAAR IDs have also been generated. All Anganwadi Centres have been mapped on the Gati Shakti portal and an advanced Anganwadi Tracking Application has been developed.
The meeting was also informed that Anganwadi Centres are being co-located with schools to facilitate a smooth transition to formal education. Upgradation of centres under the Saksham Anganwadi Programme and Bal Vidyalaya Scheme is also underway to provide modern, child-friendly infrastructure.
Officials highlighted that children aged 0-3 years are being covered under the Navchetana initiative through structured home visits and early stimulation activities, while children in the 3-6 years age group are receiving activity-based learning under the Aadharshila curriculum to improve school readiness.
The Chief Secretary also reviewed the delivery of health and nutrition services through Village Health Sanitation and Nutrition Days (VHSNDs), including immunisation, growth monitoring, maternal healthcare, anaemia screening and nutritional support.
Calling for greater convergence among departments, Dulloo said every Anganwadi Centre should evolve into a hub for early learning, nutrition, healthcare and community participation, adding that investment in early childhood development is key to building a healthier and better educated society.
