The state government has announced plans to establish 175 creches across Maharashtra, including 56 in Mumbai. These facilities are intended to provide nursery services for the infants and young children of working women in metropolitan areas.
During her visit to Mumbai on Friday, 27 October, Union Minister for Child Welfare, Smriti Irani, approved the plan. The project will receive funding of INR 6.60 crore. The creches are expected to cater to women who cannot afford private creches, such as housekeepers and construction workers.
Facilities and Staffing
The creches will be staffed by professionally trained childcare workers. The children will have access to medical kits, regular medical check-ups, and sports equipment. In addition to the take-home ration each child receives, an extra INR 8 per child has been proposed for additional meals. The centre will share some of the costs.
Location of Creches
Eight of the planned creches in Mumbai are located in island cities, while the rest are in the eastern and western suburbs. Most facilities will be near existing Anganwadis in lower-income areas.
Role of Municipal Schools
The government has requested that municipal corporation-run schools allocate one classroom for the creche. According to State Minister Aditi Tatkare, the existing Anganwadis are not meeting children's needs, hence the proposal for creches.
Union Minister Smriti Irani supported the idea and urged the Maharashtra government to open at least 1,000 creches. The state's One Stop Centres programme has helped over 38,000 women so far. There are 40 such centres in Maharashtra offering medical, legal, and counselling assistance.
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