502 creche centres inaugurated in Delhi

Marking a major step towards supporting working mothers, Union Women and Child Development Minister Annapurna Devi and Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Thursday inaugurated 502 Palna Ghar-cum-crèche centres across the Capital. The launch, part of the Seva Pakhwada campaign, took place at the Delhi Municipal Corporation Primary School in New Ashok Nagar.

The centres, launched under Mission Shakti, aim to provide safe childcare for children between six months and six years, offering nutritious meals, health check-ups, and early learning opportunities.

Union Minister Annapurna Devi said the model would offer significant support to families, praising the inclusion of Shri Ann (millets) in meals and the concept of community-based Nutrition Choupals.

The programme also saw the inauguration of the ‘Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar’ (Healthy Women, Strong Families) exhibition.

The CM said the initiative would be presented as a model for replication across India. “These centres will ensure that no mother has to choose between her work and her child’s safety. Every Palna-Anganwadi will be transformed into a one-stop centre for care,” she said. Gupta also added that workers in the centres will now be called ‘Maasi’ to reflect the mother-like affection expected of them.

The CM also outlined upcoming measures to boost women’s empowerment, including collateral-free MSME loans of up to Rs 10 crore to support women entrepreneurs.

The event was attended by Union Minister of State Harsh Malhotra, Delhi MLAs Ravikant and Ravi Negi, and senior officials including Women and Child Development Secretary Rashmi Singh.

Officials said the Palna Yojana, anchored in Mission Shakti and Mission Poshan, is designed to strengthen both maternal support and child safety.