Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath Outlines Transformation of Over 70,000 Anganwadi Centers at Varanasi National Nutrition Month Event Speaking at the launch of the 9th National Nutrition Month in Varanasi, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath detailed the transformation of Anganwadi centers across Uttar Pradesh. He highlighted the shift from pre-2017 mismanagement and liquor mafia involvement in nutrition supplies to modern model centers equipped with smartphones, hot meals, and 204 self-help group-run plants. Addressing the inaugural ceremony of the 9th National Nutrition Month in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath outlined a comprehensive roadmap detailing the large-scale modernization and overhaul of the state's Anganwadi network. Recalling the severe mismanagement, corruption, and dilapidated infrastructure that plagued these grassroots centers prior to 2017, the Chief Minister highlighted how dedicated governance over the past nine and a half years has successfully transformed more than 70,000 Anganwadi centers into modern model facilities. He emphasized that these upgraded centers now serve as benchmark institutions for early childhood care, nutrition distribution, and foundational learning across rural and urban areas. Pre-2017 Era: Liquor Mafia Handled Nutrition Distribution Reflecting on the state of affairs before 2017, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath noted that most Anganwadi centers across Uttar Pradesh were operating out of crumbling structures surrounded by filthy and unhygienic conditions. The centers completely lacked basic amenities for children and frontline workers, and nutritious food was rarely delivered on time. Upon assuming office in 2017, the Chief Minister inquired into the causes of the widespread public complaints and deteriorating state of these centers. Official investigations unveiled a shocking reality: the supply of nutritional supplementary food for vulnerable children and mothers was being operated by a liquor syndicate. The Chief Minister immediately ordered a quality audit. Upon inquiring about the frequency of deliveries, officials acknowledged that food supplies arrived at best once every three months, while the rest of the system was left entirely to chance. Crumbling Facilities and Low Honorarium for Workers Detailing the severe hardship faced under the previous administration, the Chief Minister stated that young children visiting Anganwadi centers had to bring their own jute rugs or mats from home to sit on bare floors. The centers had no clean drinking water arrangements, no proper seating infrastructure, and no provision for hot milk or warm meals. While administrative negligence and policy flaws originated at bureaucratic levels in Lucknow, frontline Anganwadi workers bore the brunt of public outrage and verbal abuse. Despite enduring public dissatisfaction and managing difficult working conditions, their monthly compensation remained extremely low. Anganwadi workers were paid a meager honorarium of just ₹3,000 per month, while their assistants received only ₹1,500 per month, making basic livelihood difficult. Smartphones, Take-Home Ration, and SHG-Led Processing Plants Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath affirmed that sustained state intervention has produced visible, high-quality transformations across the Anganwadi network for the first time. The state government created a standardized model blueprint, allocating dedicated development budgets for building construction and facility renovation. Today, Anganwadi workers across Uttar Pradesh are equipped with government-issued smartphones, enabling them to upload real-time data onto tracking portals without delay. Furthermore, nutrition delivery mechanisms have been modernized through hot cooked meals served directly at centers, alongside packaged Take-Home Ration (THR) items. To ensure self-reliance and local community involvement, Uttar Pradesh has established 204 THR production plants across the state, which are operated and managed directly by Women Self-Help Groups (SHGs). Budgetary Priority and Overhaul of Over 70,000 Centers The Chief Minister highlighted that over the past nine and a half years, more than 70,000 Anganwadi centers have been completely revamped on a priority basis. The administration ensured that funds from the State Finance Commission, Central Finance Commission, and state budgetary allocations were mandatorily channeled into upgrading Anganwadi infrastructure. Priorities included constructing sturdy concrete structures, securing premises with boundary walls, building clean toilets for children, and installing safe drinking water systems. These modernized units now house Bal Vatikas (pre-primary centers), where children learn alphabets and numbers through interactive, play-based educational methods in a welcoming environment. Surprise Kanpur Inspection and Grassroots Strengthening Sharing a personal anecdote, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath recalled an unannounced visit to an Anganwadi center located in a remote village in Kanpur district. Arriving without prior notice, he observed around 20 to 22 children present in the classroom, with the Anganwadi worker teaching them enthusiastically. The Chief Minister stood quietly in a corner to watch the session unfold, noting how children were actively engaging in learning activities. Even with sweets like ladoos placed before them, the children balanced their curiosity with eager participation in play-way lessons. Expressing satisfaction at seeing such vibrant learning environments, the Chief Minister reaffirmed the government's commitment to child welfare. As part of ongoing administrative strengthening, the state government recently handed over formal appointment letters to 739 Anganwadi workers and 15,203 assistants, further bolstering grassroots delivery across Uttar Pradesh. What this means for you The comprehensive overhaul of Uttar Pradesh's Anganwadi network directly benefits millions of young children and mothers across the state. • Across India: Strengthening grassroots nutrition infrastructure supports the national campaign to eradicate child malnutrition and build a solid foundation for early childhood care. • In Uttar Pradesh: Upgrading more than 70,000 Anganwadi centers ensures that children in both rural and urban areas get access to safe buildings, clean drinking water, and hygienic toilets. • For Anganwadi Workers: Providing smartphones allows real-time data entry, reducing administrative burden and bringing efficiency and transparency to grassroots welfare tracking. • For Women Self-Help Groups: Entrusting the operation of 204 Take-Home Ration (THR) plants to self-help groups generates local employment and economic self-reliance for rural women. • For Child Health and Nutrition: Serving hot meals and quality packaged nutrition directly addresses child stunting and improves early learning outcomes in Bal Vatikas. Why this happened This administrative overhaul was launched to eliminate severe corruption, dilapidated infrastructure, and irregular nutrition supply that plagued Anganwadi centers before 2017. • Liquor Mafia Involvement: Prior to 2017, nutrition distribution across Uttar Pradesh centers was controlled by a liquor syndicate, leading to erratic deliveries and sub-standard food quality. • Severe Infrastructure Deficit: Most centers operated out of crumbling structures without basic amenities such as clean drinking water, functional toilets, seating arrangements, or hot meals. • Worker Dissatisfaction and Low Honorarium: Frontline workers received minimal monthly compensation while bearing public criticism for system-level administrative failures. • Strategic Budgetary Prioritization: After taking office in 2017, the state government mandated using State and Central Finance Commission funds to transform Anganwadi facilities into modern model units. Questions & Answers 1. How many Anganwadi centers have been modernized in Uttar Pradesh? According to Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, over 70,000 Anganwadi centers have been renovated and given a modern model framework over the past nine and a half years. 2. What was the state of nutrition supply before 2017? Prior to 2017, nutrition supplies were distributed by a liquor syndicate, resulting in irregular deliveries that often took months to reach centers. 3. What amenities are provided at the new model Anganwadi centers? Model centers feature clean drinking water, toilets, boundary walls, hot cooked meals, activity-based Bal Vatikas, and packaged Take-Home Ration. 4. Who operates the Take-Home Ration (THR) plants in the state? The 204 Take-Home Ration (THR) plants established across Uttar Pradesh are operated directly by Women Self-Help Groups. 5. What was the honorarium for Anganwadi workers under the earlier setup? Under the previous system, Anganwadi workers received a monthly honorarium of ₹3,000, while assistants received ₹1,500. https://trendkia.com/en/uttar-pradesh/uttar-pradesh-ke-70-hajara-se-adhika-anganavari-kendron-ka-badala-svarupa-varanasi-men-9ven-rashtriya-poshana-maha-ke-mncha-se-muk-30233 TrendKia — Har trend, sabse pehle.