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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1075
ANSWERED ON 24.07.2026
PALNA SCHEME
1075. SHRI BALYA MAMA SURESH GOPINATH MHATRE:
Will the Minister of WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:
(a) the number of creches currently operational under the Palna Scheme in Bhiwandi in
Thane district of Maharashtra;
(b) the number of children benefited from the said scheme during the last three years;
(c) whether the Government has conducted any survey/assessment regarding the requirement
of creche facilities in said region;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
(SHRIMATI SAVITRI THAKUR)
(a) to (e): The Ministry introduced Anganwadi cum Creches (Palna) scheme w.e.f. 01 April 2022,
for providing day care creche facilities in safe and secure environment to children (aged 06 months
– 06 years) of all mothers irrespective of their employment status along with nutritional support,
health and cognitive development of children, growth monitoring, immunization, education
etc. Anganwadi centres are the world's largest childcare institutions dedicated for providing
essential care and support to children ensuring delivery of care facilities till the last mile.Palna is a centrally sponsored scheme and implemented with a funding ratio of 60:40 between
Centre and State Governments and UTs with legislature except North East & Special Category
States where ratio is 90:10. For UTs without legislature, 100% funding is provided by the Central
Government. The requirement of Anganwadi-cum-Crèche Centres (AWCCs) is assessed by the
respective States/UTs, and proposals are approved by the Programme Approval Board (PAB) after
detailed discussions with the concerned States/UTs. As of 31.03.2026, 345 Anganwadi-cum-
Crèches (AWCCs) have been approved in the State of Maharashtra. As informed by State of
Maharashtra, no AWCCs are currently operational in the State. Presently, a total of 4,172
Anganwadi-cum-Crèches (AWCCs) are operational across the country, benefiting about 43000
children.
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