• Emphasises quality nutrition, early childhood care and timely delivery of welfare schemes

KATHUA: Deputy Commissioner Kathua Rajesh Sharma today chaired a meeting to review performance of the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) sector in the district and assess progress under various flagship schemes.

Programme Officer ICDS Mohammed Syed Khan presented the district profile and an overview of the department's functioning. The district has 1,641 Anganwadi Centres spread across 19 CD Blocks under eight ICDS Projects, providing nutrition, health and early childhood care services, the meeting was informed.

The meeting was informed that 40,328 beneficiaries are covered under the Supplementary Nutrition Programme (SNP), while 1,266 beneficiaries have been registered so far this financial year under the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), against a target of 5,200. Reviewing welfare schemes, the meeting was informed that 682 cases have been sanctioned under the Ladli Beti Yojana this financial year, 25 Anganwadi Centres have been upgraded with LED screens, Alexa-enabled learning facilities and other amenities, and six Anganwadi Centres have been equipped with crĆØche facilities for working mothers.

On Aadhaar enrolment, the meeting was informed that Aadhaar has been generated or updated for 7,781 children aged zero to five years, while 11,998 children above five years have also been covered.

The Deputy Commissioner reviewed nutrition-related interventions and discussed measures for identification, adoption and management of children with Moderate Acute Malnutrition (MAM) and Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM), stressing regular monitoring and timely intervention to improve children's nutritional status. The meeting also discussed preparations for Poshan Pakhwada, awareness activities under the Nasha Mukt Jammu Kashmir Abhiyan and greater convergence among stakeholder departments for child welfare and nutrition programmes.

The Deputy Commissioner directed officers to ensure efficient delivery of services through Anganwadi Centres, achieve targets under flagship schemes in a time-bound manner and intensify awareness campaigns so eligible beneficiaries can avail the benefits of welfare initiatives. Among those present were Programme Officer ICDS Mohammed Syed Khan, Chief Planning Officer Ranjeet Thakur and Child Development Project Officers (CDPOs).

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In loving memory of Dr. Priya Ranjan: A mentor who treated me like family
A Profound Loss: JK Monitor Mourns the Passing of Founding Chairman Dr. Priya Ranjan

We at JK Monitor are profoundly saddened by the sudden demise of our Founding Chairman, Dr. Priya Ranjan.IN LOVING MEMORY Dr Priya Ranjan

A brilliant mind who studied at Netarhat Residential School and graduated in Electrical Engineering from IIT Kharagpur before earning his PhD from the University of Maryland, Dr. Ranjan chose to return to India and dedicate his life to teaching, research and social good.

His pioneering work in networked systems, AI, robotics and biomedical applications—especially computer-vision tools for early detection of cancer and heart disease—reflected his deep belief that advanced technology must serve humanity.

For more than 15 years at JK Monitor, he remained a loyal friend, mentor and collaborator, marked by rare humility, intellectual integrity and quiet generosity. His passing leaves a void that cannot be filled. Priya, you will be deeply missed. Your life continues to remind us that knowledge finds its highest purpose in the service of others.

— Team JK Monitor

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