As a follow-up to an assurance given by the Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, during his visit to Jammu and Kashmir, the Department of Women and Child Development, Government of India has sanctioned 19 additional Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) projects and 6817 Anganwadi Centres for J&K. Together these will generate nearly 14,000 new jobs in the State, especially for women.

The Prime Minister's Office has urged the State Government to draw up an Action Plan and ensure that the required staff and helpers be recruited, trained and put into position at the earliest and the required equipment also be procured at the earliest. Each Anganwadi Centre will have one worker and one helper who will be honorary workers from the local community and will be paid an honorarium for their services.

This programme, aimed at aiding child development and maternal care, is part of the Development and Reconstruction Plan for J&K announced during the Prime Minister's recent visit to the State.