AI SummaryPada Pushti Karyakram is a state scheme of the Odisha government that provides supplementary nutrition to preschool children aged 3 to 6 years living in remote, hard-to-reach villages that do not have Anganwadi centers. Children in these villages receive morning snacks and hot cooked meals at their own location, so they get the same nutrition support as children living near urban areas.
Department of Women and Child Development, Government of Odisha, runs this scheme. It has been rolled out in 1963 hard-to-reach areas across the state, and the government keeps updating the way it is run to make sure every eligible child is covered.
Pada Pushti Karyakram - Introduction
Pada Pushti Karyakram makes sure that children in remote areas get the same nutritional support as those near urban centers. The scheme acts as an extension of local Anganwadi centers and helps bridge the gap in nutrition services for children who cannot reach a regular Anganwadi center.
The scheme targets children aged 3 to 6 years who cannot access regular spot feeding programs. By providing morning snacks and hot cooked meals directly within their village, this scheme supports healthier development for children living in underserved regions. Meals follow the regular Supplementary Nutrition Programme (SNP) standards under ICDS and are served six days a week for at least 300 days in a year.
Objectives:
The scheme focuses on several main goals:
- Better access to entitlements: Making sure every child aged 3 to 6 years in remote areas gets their required supplementary nutrition.
- More use of services: Raising the overall reach of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) among at risk communities.
- Community participation: Encouraging mothers and local community members to actively support child nutrition and healthy living practices.
Identification of hard-to-reach villages:
Authorities use specific criteria to pick villages for the scheme:
- The village must not have its own Anganwadi center, be located more than two kilometers from an existing center, or face geographical barriers that make travel hard.
- Forest villages without an assigned Anganwadi center qualify.
- A minimum of 5 children aged between 3 and 6 years must live in the village. If the number of children falls below 5, the program might be moved to another location.
Key Information
| Scheme Name | Pada Pushti Karyakram |
|---|---|
| Level | State |
| Scheme For | Individual |
| Beneficiary State | Odisha |
| Category | Women and Child, Health and Wellness |
| Benefit Type | In Kind |
| DBT Scheme | No |
| Nodal Department | Women and Child Development Department |
Benefits
Entitlements for children:
Children receive meals as per the regular Supplementary Nutrition Programme (SNP) standards under ICDS. Meals are served six days a week for at least 300 days in a year, with both morning snacks and hot cooked meals provided at the village location.
Growth monitoring:
Anganwadi workers regularly track the growth of children. They record age, weight, and height using the Poshan Tracker. Monthly visits to the village are fixed so that every child gets measured using the required kits.
Incentive for Pushti Sakhi:
The dedicated Pushti Sakhi receives a monthly honorarium of ₹1,000 for their services. In a recent update, the government has also allowed engagement of local Self Help Groups (SHGs) in place of Pushti Sakhi to run the program in the identified hard-to-reach areas.
Eligibility
To take part, these simple criteria must be met:
- The child must be a resident of Odisha.
- The child must be between 3 and 6 years of age.
- The child must live in a village officially identified as hard-to-reach without an Anganwadi center.
Application Process
STEP 1 - Contact your local Anganwadi center or speak with the local Anganwadi worker or Pushti Sakhi in your village.
STEP 2 - Share the required details about your child, including age and residence, so the worker can check if your village qualifies as hard-to-reach.
STEP 3 - Keep the required documents ready and complete the enrollment as guided by the local worker to start receiving the nutritional benefits.
Documents
Keep the following documents ready for enrollment: identity proof such as an Aadhaar Card, a date of birth certificate for the child, and any other documents asked by the local worker.
References
FAQ's
What is Pada Pushti Karyakram?
Pada Pushti Karyakram is a special program in Odisha that provides supplementary nutrition like morning snacks and hot meals to children aged 3 to 6 years living in remote areas where Anganwadi centers are not available.
Who are the beneficiaries of this programme?
The program serves children aged 3 to 6 years living in remote or hard-to-reach hamlets with limited access to standard government nutrition services.
How is the food provided to the children?
Food is distributed through local spot feeding arrangements, including nutritious snacks and cooked meals prepared under community supervision.
Who prepares and distributes the meals?
Meals are prepared and distributed by local Mother Groups, a designated Pushti Sakhi, or a Self Help Group at the village level.
How frequently are meals provided?
Meals are served six days a week for at least 300 days in a year to keep nutrition consistent.
What types of food are included?
Children receive a healthy mix of hot cooked meals, such as rice with dal or vegetables, along with snacks appropriate for their age.
How are beneficiaries identified?
Eligibility is decided by the child's age and their residence in a village categorized as hard-to-reach due to distance or terrain.
What defines a hard-to-reach village?
A village qualifies if it lacks an Anganwadi center and travel to the nearest center is hindered by distance or geography.
Are growth measurements of children taken?
Yes, children undergo regular growth monitoring, including height and weight checks, carried out by Anganwadi workers using the Poshan Tracker.