Special Correspondent
Panaji
Union Minister for Women and Child Development Annapurna Devi on Saturday said that her ministry will extend all assistance for the welfare of local adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating mothers, as also Anganwadi children.
“I have met the Chief Minister, Pramod Sawant and discussed these issues, including quality nutrition for children and holistic development of women,” she said, adding that central schemes like Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana and Poshan 2.0 would also be implemented in Goa.
Annapurna Devi is presently in Goa to discuss highlights of the national budget 2026-27, recently presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Parliament.
She said that the Poshan Tracker tool helps in last mile tracking of nutrition service delivery, as also enables targeted and closely monitored interventions in the implementation of Poshan 2.0 scheme.
The Union minister further said that the laws against child labour are firmly in place and protect children through their implementation, in consonance with the state governments. She further said that every Juvenile Justice Board spreads awareness about child rights and rehabilitation as well as legal procedures for children.
Annapurna Devi, addressing a press conference at the city headquarters of Bharatiya Janata Party, in the presence of Union minister Shripad Naik, state BJP president Damodar ‘Damu’ Naik and Rajya Sabha member Sadanand Tanavade, said that the budget for the next financial year fulfils the aspirations of the public.
“Trust-based governance and human-centric economy are part of this budget,” she said. “The budget has given priority to tourism sector as also development of new waterways, which would largely help Goa,” she said, stating that relief on seafood exports would also be beneficial for fish exporters in the state.
The Union minister said that in order to give a boost to women empowerment, the budget has introduced C-Mart scheme that would be useful for self-help groups (SHGs), women associated with startups and women running micro enterprises.
