New Delhi/Hyderabad, Feb 3, 2025 (Reporter) Telangana Women and Child Welfare Minister Dr Danasari Anasuya Seethakka urged Union Women and Child Development Minister Annapurna Devi to increase central funding for Anganwadi centres in the state. During a meeting in New Delhi on Monday, Seethakka submitted proposals to implement a breakfast scheme for children attending Anganwadi centres in Telangana. She highlighted the urgent need to upgrade existing infrastructure and enhance nutritional support for children. Accompanied by TG Foods Chairman M A Fahim and Women and Child Welfare Commissioner Kanti Wesley, Seethakka submitted a memorandum to the Union Minister and held an hour-long discussion on the schemes implemented in Telangana and the proposed snack scheme for Anganwadi children. Currently, 35,700 Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) operate across Telangana, serving 8.6 lakh children aged 3 to 6 years under the Supplementary Nutrition Program (SNP). Seethakka emphasised Telangana's pioneering efforts in providing comprehensive nutrition for women and children through the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS). She noted that post-COVID, many children continue to suffer from malnutrition, prompting the state government’s plan to introduce a breakfast scheme to improve children's nutrition and encourage school attendance. Under the proposed scheme, each child will receive breakfast daily, with an estimated cost of ₹8 per child per day, totalling Rs 206 crore per year. Seethakka sought central support for the initiative, stressing its potential to enhance child nutrition and early education participation. Union Minister Annapurna Devi welcomed the proposal, acknowledging the importance of providing breakfast at Anganwadi centres. She assured that the Centre would support the initiative and discuss its funding in the upcoming budget meetings. She also announced plans to visit Telangana soon to review existing women and child welfare schemes. The minister expressed gratitude to the Union Minister for her positive response and commitment to supporting Telangana’s initiatives, according to an official statement...////...