Sitamarhi/Patna: The Bihar government’s focus on strengthening last-mile delivery of welfare schemes was underlined on Tuesday as Bandana Preyashi, secretary of the social welfare department, conducted an on-site inspection of Anganwadi centres and reviewed the implementation of key social security programmes in Sitamarhi district.
The secretary inspected Anganwadi Centre No 24 in Koyli panchayat of Nanpur block and Anganwadi Centre No 185 in Bhadian panchayat, where she reviewed nutrition services, attendance registers, facilities for beneficiaries and overall infrastructure. She directed officials to maintain cleanliness and orderliness on the premises and stressed the importance of providing a safe and healthy environment for children.
During her visit, she interacted with children at the centres and instructed workers to ensure the effective conduct of nutrition-related activities, health check-ups and early childhood education. She also called for regular monitoring of Anganwadi operations to improve service quality.
Reviewing schemes related to the empowerment of persons with disabilities, Preyashi directed officials to ensure the prompt distribution of prosthetic limbs and assistive devices to approved beneficiaries through Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India. She also instructed that 100% issuance of Unique Disability Identity (UDID) cards be completed for all eligible persons with disabilities.
On pension schemes, the secretary asked officials to complete life certification for as many beneficiaries as possible by February 28, 2026, warning that pension payments would be blocked from March 2026 for those whose certifications remain pending. She emphasised that benefits under all pension schemes operating through the RTPS framework must be delivered within stipulated timelines.
Preyashi also directed officials to maximise coverage under the Kabir Funeral Grant Scheme and the National Family Benefit Scheme, ensure prompt death marking of deceased pensioners on the e-beneficiary portal, and complete all pending processes related to child support payments under the sponsorship scheme. She expressed satisfaction with the progress of six pension schemes and other departmental programmes in the district, commending the work of the local teams.
During a review of the Buniyad Kendra, she instructed that the mobile therapy van be kept operational at all times and that space be allocated within the premises for a common service centre. She also asked officials to expedite the construction of a shed to ensure the safe operation and maintenance of the therapy van.
To further strengthen Anganwadi services, the secretary directed that pending works at eligible centres be completed quickly, rainwater harvesting systems installed and made functional, and steps taken to achieve a functional reporting system target of at least 90%.
“Ensuring that the benefits of departmental schemes reach the last person in a transparent, timely and quality manner is our top priority,” Preyashi said, adding that regular monitoring, accountability and continuous supervision at the regional level were essential to achieving this goal.
District and block-level officials were present during the inspection and review.
