Vimla Pradhan in Bokaro on Saturday. (Pankaj Singh)

Bokaro, May 7: Social welfare minister Vimla Pradhan today reiterated that the Arjun Munda government was committed to the welfare of women and children, especially those living in rural and semi-urban areas.

Pradhan was speaking at a news meet at Bokaro Circuit House on her way back to Ranchi from an official trip to Dumka. During her stopover, the minister met Bokaro welfare officials and anganwadi staff.

The minister has been busy travelling to various districts to keep an eye on the anganwadi centres and to see to it that the staff gets their meals and salaries on time.

Aware of problems regarding catering at the centres, Pradhan said, “My department is working to ensure supply of quality packed food to the anganwadi centres in the near future.”

Though she didn’t have an answer to why the women’s helpline had not yet started in the city, even though it was operational in Jamshedpur and Ranchi, Pradhan promised to look into the matter.

When pointed out that the NDA government was losing on popularity and public support because of the anti-encroachment drive, the minister shot back and said the government was serious about the issue and was acting according to the high court orders.

She also took a dig at the Opposition parties. “JVM, Congress, RJD and others are playing dirty games. Their mission will surely fail as the people are wise enough to know the real reasons behind this,” she said.