Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Women and Child Development introduced the Palna Scheme under the Samarthya Vertical of Umbrella Mission Shakti, effective April 1, 2022, to provide daycare facilities for children. The scheme aims to support working women by establishing Anganwadi-cum-Creches (AWCCs). The ministry emphasizes the importance of these facilities in annual Programme Approval Board (PAB) meetings with State Governments and UT Administrations. During the 15th Finance Cycle up to FY 2025-26, the goal is to establish 17,000 AWCCs, with 14,599 already approved.
Key Points / Main Content:
Palna Scheme Overview:
* Implemented under the Samarthya Vertical of Umbrella Mission Shakti.
* Effective from April 1, 2022, for all States and UTs.
* Aims to provide daycare facilities and protection to children aged 6 months to 6 years.
* Provides nutritional support, health and cognitive development, growth monitoring, and immunization.
* Crèche facilities are available to all mothers, regardless of employment status.
Anganwadi-cum-Creches (AWCCs):
* Extends childcare services through Anganwadi centers.
* Ensures whole-day childcare support in a safe and secure environment.
* Aims to increase women's workforce participation.
* During the 15th Finance Cycle, 17,000 AWCCs are envisioned.
* To date, 14,599 AWCCs have been approved based on proposals from States/UTs.
Proposal and Implementation:
* Proposals for AWCCs are received from State Governments/UT Administrations.
* States/UTs contribute their share for scheme implementation.
* As of the stated date, no proposal has been received from the Government of Uttar Pradesh for AWCCs under the Palna Scheme.
* Programme Approval Board (PAB) meetings are held annually to encourage States/UTs to propose and operationalize more AWCCs.
Impact Analysis:
State Governments/UT Administrations:
* Impact: Responsible for sending proposals for opening and operationalizing AWCCs.
* Action Required: Assess creche needs, formulate proposals for AWCC establishment, and contribute their share for scheme implementation.
Working Mothers:
* Impact: Benefits from improved access to quality daycare services, enabling them to pursue employment opportunities.
* Action Required: Utilize the crèche facilities provided under the Palna Scheme to ensure their children receive adequate care and support.
Children (6 months to 6 years):
* Impact: Receive quality childcare, nutritional support, health services, and cognitive development in a safe environment.
* Action Required: Access and benefit from the services provided at the Anganwadi-cum-Creches.
Ministry of Women and Child Development:
* Impact: Responsible for overseeing the implementation of the Palna Scheme and approving AWCC proposals.
* Action Required: Continue conducting PAB meetings, reviewing proposals from States/UTs, and monitoring the progress of AWCC establishments.
Key Entities Referenced
Palna Scheme: A scheme under the Samarthya Vertical of Umbrella Mission Shakti, introduced by the Ministry of Women and Child Development to provide day care facilities and protection to children.
Ministry of Women and Child Development: The Indian government ministry responsible for the Palna Scheme and related initiatives.
Anganwadi cum Creche (AWCC): A type of childcare center that combines the services of Anganwadis and creches, aimed at providing whole-day childcare support.
Uttar Pradesh: A state in India from which the Ministry was expecting proposals for operationalization of Anganwadi cum CrechesAWCCs under Palna Scheme.
Samarthya Vertical of Umbrella Mission Shakti: A broader initiative under which the Palna Scheme is implemented, aimed at women empowerment.
Sustainable Development Goal 8: United Nations Sustainable Development Goal related to Decent work and economic growth, which the Palna Scheme aims to support.
Shrimati Savitri Thakur: Minister of State in the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
Programme Approval Board (PAB): A board that holds annual meetings with State Governments and UT Administrations to discuss and approve proposals for initiatives like opening AnganwadicumCreches.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3324
TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.08.2025
ANGANWADI-CUM-CRECHES UNDER PALNA
3324. Smt. Dimple Yadav:
Shri Pushpendra Saroj:
Will the Minister of Women and Child Development be pleased to state:
(a) the number of proposals received from the Government of Uttar Pradesh for
establishment and operation of creches/Anganwadi-Cum-Creches (AWCCs) under
Palna scheme during the last five years, district-wise;
(b) the number of creches/AWCCs that have been sanctioned and are currently
operational under the said scheme, in Uttar Pradesh district-wise;
(c) the number of beneficiaries thereof during the last five years, district-wise; and
(d) whether the Union Government has taken any initiative to urge State Governments
to assess the creche needs to increase proposals and establishments, if so, the
details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
(SHRIMATI SAVITRI THAKUR)
(a) to (d): The Ministry of women and Child Development has introduced Palna Scheme
under the Samarthya Vertical of Umbrella Mission Shakti for all States and UTs w.e.f. 01
April 2022, to provide day care facilities and protection to children.
Government’s sustained initiatives on education, skilling and employment of women have
resulted in increased opportunities for their employment, and more and more women are
now in gainful employment, working within or outside their homes. Lack of proper day-care
services is, often, a deterrent for women to go out and work. Hence, there is an urgent need
for improved quality and reach of day care services/crèches for working women amongst
all socio-economic groups both in the organized and unorganized sectors.
To address these difficulties faced by the working mothers in giving due care and protection
to their children, day-care crèche facilities are being provided through Palna Scheme.
Crèche services formalise the child care responsibilities hitherto considered as part of
domestic work. Formalization of care work supports the “decent work campaign” to achieve
the Sustainable Development Goal 8 – Decent work and economic growth. This will alsoenable more mothers, who will be free from unpaid child-care responsibilities, to take up
gainful employment.
Anganwadi centres are the world's largest childcare institutions dedicated to providing
essential care and support to children ensuring delivery of care facilities till the last mile. In
a first of its kind approach, Ministry has extended the services of childcare through
Anganwadi cum Crèche (AWCC). This will ensure whole day childcare support ensuring
their well-being in a safe and secure environment. Anganwadi cum Crèche initiative aims to
increase ‘women work force participation’ in the economy. The objective of Palna Scheme
is to provide quality crèche facility in safe and secure environment for children (from ages 6
months – 6 years), nutritional support, health and cognitive development of children, growth
monitoring & immunization. Crèche facilities under Palna are provided to all mothers,
irrespective of their employment status.
Programme Approval Board (PAB) meetings, are held with the State Governments and UT
Administrations annually where it is emphasised that they may send proposal for opening
more Anganwadi-cum-Creches and operationalize them. Proposals for establishment of
AWCCs are received from the respective State Governments/UT Administrations who also
contribute their corresponding share for the implementation of the Scheme. Till date, no
proposal has been received from the State Government of Uttar Pradesh for
operationalization of Anganwadi-cum-Creches(AWCCs) under Palna Scheme.
During the 15th Finance Cycle i.e. up to FY 2025-26, a total of 17,000 Anganwadi-cum-
Creches (AWCCs) have been envisioned for establishment under the Palna Scheme. Till
date, a total of 14,599 AWCCs have been approved by the Ministry as per proposals
received from various States/UTs
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