Review Meeting Held under the Chairmanship of Hon'ble Minister for Social Welfare and Women's Rights Thirumathi K. Jegadeeswari A review meeting with District Programme Officers on the activities of the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme was held on 07.07.2026 under the chairmanship of Hon'ble Minister for Social Welfare and Women's Rights Thirumathi K. Jegadeeswari. During the review meeting, the Hon'ble Minister stressed that District Programme Officers must take special focus, continuous monitoring and special attention regarding the nutritional status and nutrition indicators of children, in coordination with other departments. She also instructed that all field-level workers should inspect whether services such as setting up kitchen gardens at Anganwadi centres, growth monitoring, nutritious flour (sattumaavu), hot cooked noon meals, eggs, and pre-school education are being properly delivered, and ensure that benefits reach beneficiaries without fail. Further, District Programme Officers gave detailed presentations on the scheme activities being implemented in the districts. Discussions were held on whether all best practices are being followed to improve the nutritional status of beneficiaries at Anganwadi centres, as well as on practical challenges and their solutions. The Hon'ble Minister advised that proper steps be taken to increase the number of children attending pre-school education, that food items used for cooking at the centres must be kept clean, and that since these are highly sensitive welfare schemes, work must be carried out meticulously without allowing any lapses. The Hon'ble Minister for Social Welfare and Women's Rights, along with the Secretary to Government and the Managing Director of Tamil Nadu Working Women's Hostels Corporation, inspected the "Thozhi" working women's hostel being constructed at an estimated cost of Rs. 36.69 crore within the ICDS office campus. During the inspection, the Hon'ble Minister instructed the construction workers and executing officers to ensure that all materials used in construction are of good quality, that the construction work is completed within the stipulated time, and that since it is a hostel for women, it must be built with all necessary safety facilities. The review meeting was attended by Secretary to Government Thirumathi M. Pallavi Baldev, IAS (Social Welfare and Women's Rights Department), Thirumathi K. Santhi, IAS, Director and Commissioner, Integrated Child Development Services, District Programme Officers and other officials of the department. Issued by: Director, Directorate of Information and Public Relations, Chennai-9