MATRU SAHYOGINI SAMITI

Why in news? :  Madhya Pradesh government has issued an order for the appointment of committees called ‘Matru Sahyogini Samiti’ or Mothers’ Cooperation Committees.

Aim of this initiative: This will be led by mothers to ensure better monitoring of services delivered at anganwadi or day care centres across the State.

Committee Mechanism: These Committees will comprise 10 mothers at each anganwadi representing the concerns of different sets of beneficiaries under the Integrated Child Development Services, or National Nutrition Mission — children between six months to three years, children between three years and six years, adolescent girls and pregnant women and lactating mothers.

Work of the Committee: These mothers will keep a watch on weekly ration distribution to beneficiaries as well as suggest nutritious and tasteful recipes for meals served to children at the centres, in a move that is aimed at strengthening community response to the problem of hunger and malnutrition in the State.

Composition of Committees: The committees will include mothers of beneficiary children as well as be represented by pregnant women and lactating mothers who are enrolled under the scheme.

Role of SHGs: The Committees will also include a woman panch, women active in the community and eager to volunteer their support to the scheme, teachers from the local school, and women heads of self-help groups (SHG).