(a) whether there has been decline in budget allocation for children from 2.46 percent in 2021-22 to 2.35 percent in 2022-23 including an overall reduction of 8 percent against the budget estimates of 2021-22; and
(b) if so, the proposal of the Government to come check malnourishment and provide social protection and security to the children of the country?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
(SHRIMATI SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)
(a) & (b) : The total allocation of funds to the Ministry including funds for welfare and development of children for the financial year 2021-22 and 2022-23 is Re.24435.09 Crore and Rs.25172.28 Crore which shows an increase in allocation of funds for women and children.
The two major schemes for welfare and development of Children are Mission Saksham Angawadi Services and Poshan 2.0 and Mission Vatsalya. The allocation of funds for Saksham Angawadi Services and Poshan 2.0 for financial year 2021-22 is Rs. 20105.00 Crore and for financial year 2022-23 is Rs. 20263.07 Crore, which shows an increase by 0.78 %. Similarly the allocation of funds for Mission Vatsalya for financial year 2021-22 is Rs. 900 Crore and the allocation for financial year 2022-23 is Rs. 1472.17 Crore, which shows an increase by 63.57%. Funds are released to all States/UTs, which are implementing the Schemes as per requirements and needs.
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