Bengaluru: Following the 15th Finance Commission’s reorganisation of child nutrition and maternal and adolescent healthcare under the Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 initiative, Karnataka has received a total of Rs 4,433 crore over the past five financial years.Union minister of state for women and child development Savitri Thakur disclosed this information in a recent written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha. The scheme encompasses nutritional support for children below six years of age, pregnant and lactating women, and adolescent girls, while also covering early childhood care and education as well as the development of anganwadi infrastructure.According to data, Karnataka received its highest allocation for the scheme at Rs 1,003.7 crore in the initial year of the scheme, 2021-22. Ever since then, the grant has not touched the Rs 1,000-crore mark, and in 2025-26, the state got Rs 863.64 crore.However, the state has spent Rs 3,474.9 crore until 2024-25. The spending data for 2025-26 is yet to be revealed. Through the initiative, the govt aims for a reduction in malnutrition and for improved health, wellness and immunity through activities like community engagement, outreach, behavioural change and advocacy.In Karnataka, a package of six services – supplementary nutrition (SNP), pre-school non-formal education, nutrition and health education, immunisation, health check-up, and referral services – is provided through anganwadi centres. “A total of 17,732 anganwadi centres have been approved for upgradation as Saksham Anganwadis in Karnataka,” Thakur added.“A total of 17,732 anganwadi centres have been approved for upgradation as Saksham Anganwadis in Karnataka,” Thakur revealed. The anganwadis are provided with infrastructure such as LED screens, a water filtration system, early childhood care and education material and building-as-learning-aid paintings.Under PM-JANMAN (Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan), the Union minister said 23 anganwadis have been sanctioned for construction in PVTG (Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups) areas within Karnataka.
