## Summary of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3449 Regarding Vacancies in Child Development Scheme in Chandrapur, Maharashtra
On August 8, 2025, Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 3449 addressed the Ministry of Women and Child Development regarding staff vacancies within the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme in Chandrapur, Maharashtra. The question highlighted significant vacancies, specifically:
* **Child Development Project Officers (CDPOs):** 14 out of 15 sanctioned Group B posts are vacant within the Chandrapur Zilla Parishad.
* **Paryavekshika (Anganwadi Supervisors):** 30 out of 89 sanctioned posts are vacant.
* **Anganwadi Workers:** 69 out of 2,447 posts are vacant.
* **Anganwadi Helpers:** 154 out of 2,447 posts are vacant.
The query questioned the impact of these vacancies on the quality and comprehensiveness of ICDS services for children and mothers.
In response, the Minister of State in the Ministry of Women and Child Development stated that the Government of Maharashtra reported these vacancies. To mitigate the impact on service delivery, the responsibilities of vacant positions have been temporarily assigned to existing officers and staff to ensure continued care for mothers and children.
The response clarified that Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 is a centrally sponsored scheme where the central government is responsible for policy and planning, while State Governments and UT Administrations are responsible for day-to-day program implementation. The filling of vacant posts is the responsibility of the State Governments and UT Administrations. The matter is regularly addressed with the State Governments and UT Administrations through video conferences and meetings.
Key Entities Referenced
Chandrapur, Maharashtra: A district in the state of Maharashtra, India, where vacancies in child development related posts are reported.
Ministry of Women and Child Development: A ministry of the Government of India responsible for policies and programs related to women and children.
Child Development Project Officer: A position (CDPO) responsible for overseeing child development projects, with vacant posts reported in the context of Chandrapur, Maharashtra.
Integrated Child Development Service: A government scheme (ICDS) aimed at improving the health, nutrition, and education of children and mothers.
Anganwadi Sevika: A type of worker at the Anganwadi level.
Anganwadi: A type of rural child care centre in India.
Anganwadi Helper: A type of worker at the Anganwadi level who assists the Anganwadi worker.
Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0: A centrally sponsored scheme focused on improving nutrition and early childhood development.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 3449
TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.08.2025
VACANCIES IN CHILD DEVELOPMENT SCHEME
3449. SMT. DHANORKAR PRATIBHA SURESH:
Will the Minister of WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:
(a) whether 14 out of 15 Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) posts and 23 out of
89 Paryavekshika posts are vacant in Chandrapur, Maharashtra, if so, the details
thereof;
(b) whether the Government considers this a serious flaw in the administrative
implementation of child development schemes, if so, the details thereof;
(c) the impact of the said vacancies on the quality and comprehensiveness of services
under the Integrated Child Development Service (ICDS) scheme and in providing
regular care and services to children and mothers;
(d) whether 71 out of 2447 Anganwadi Sevika posts and 118 out of 2447 Sahayika posts
are vacant in Chandrapur, if so, the details thereof alongwith the impact on the daily
functioning of Anganwadi centres; and
(e) the details of the measures being taken by the Government at the administrative level
to fill all the vacant posts of CDPO, supervisor, Anganwadi Sevika and Sahayika at
the earliest alongwith the definite plan and timeline therefor?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
(SHRIMATI SAVITRI THAKUR)
(a) to (e): Government of Maharashtra has informed that out of 15 sanctioned posts for Child
Development Project Officer (Group B) under the Integrated Child Development Service
Scheme projects in Chandrapur Zilla Parishad, 14 posts are vacant. Additionally, of the 89
sanctioned posts for Anganwadi Supervisors, 30 are vacant.To prevent deterioration in the quality and comprehensiveness of ICDS services, the
responsibilities of the vacant posts have been assigned to other officers and staff. Regular
services and care are being provided to mothers and children through these means.
Within the 15 Integrated Child Development Service Scheme projects of Zilla Parishad
Chandrapur, 69 posts are vacant out of 2,447 Anganwadi Workers, and 154 posts are vacant
out of 2,447 Anganwadi Helpers.
Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 is a Centrally Sponsored scheme. The Central
Government is responsible for policy and planning and the State Governments/UT
Administrations are responsible for day-to-day program implementation. The matter regarding
filling up of vacant posts at various levels falls in the domain of the states and UTs concerned.
It is regularly taken up with the State Governments/ UT Administrations through sustained
engagements/video conferences and meetings.
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