26,937 AWCs functioning from rented buildings: Govt 807 run from Govt premises

Aatif Qayoom
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20 Feb 2026

Srinagar, Feb 19: Among 28,186 functional Anganwadi Centres in J&K, as many as 26,937 are operating from rented buildings, the Social Welfare Department informed the Assembly on Thursday, underlining the heavy reliance on private accommodation for running child care services across the Union Territory. Replying to a question tabled by MLA Arjun Singh Raju, the government said only 807 centres are functioning from government buildings. A small number of centres operate from other public spaces, including 8 in Panchayat Ghars and 434 in school buildings, while 167 function as creche Anganwadi Centres. The district wise data reflects near full functionality in most areas. In Kashmir division, Baramulla has 2,425 sanctioned centres, of which 2,404 are functional. Kupwara has 2,320 sanctioned and all are operational. Anantnag has 2,227 sanctioned centres with 2,210 functional. Budgam has 1,686 sanctioned and 1,679 functional, while Pulwama has 1,116 sanctioned and all functional. Kulgam has 1,295 sanctioned and 1,210 functional centres. Shopian has 717 sanctioned and all operational. Srinagar has 1,202 sanctioned and 1,190 functional centres. Ganderbal has 669 sanctioned and 658 functional, and Bandipora has 829 sanctioned with 818 functional. In Jammu division, Jammu district records the highest number with 2,674 sanctioned centres and 2,643 functional. Rajouri has 1,672 sanctioned and 1,670 functional centres, while Poonch has 1,421 sanctioned and 1,419 functional. Udhampur has 1,500 sanctioned and 1,496 functional centres. Kathua has 1,642 sanctioned and 1,641 functional. Samba has 1,030 sanctioned and 1,021 functional. Reasi has 968 sanctioned and 983 functional centres. Doda has 1,401 sanctioned and 1,399 functional centres. Kishtwar has 829 sanctioned and 807 functional, while Ramban has 803 sanctioned and 785 functional centres. Of the 26,937 centres functioning from rented premises, 22,698 are located in rural areas and 4,039 in urban areas, underlining the rural spread of the scheme. On the construction of permanent buildings, the government said the process will be taken up in a phased manner, subject to availability of funds and land. Regarding the opening of new centres in uncovered areas of Ramban constituency, it said the matter will be examined and proposals submitted to the Government of India if the prescribed criteria are fulfilled.