(a) whether the Ministry of WCD has gone ahead to feed ready-to-eat micro-nutrient fortified food to
children under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme, inspite of objection raised by
other Ministries and the Planning Commission;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Hon’ble Supreme Court has directed/advised the Government that children should be
provided hot cooked meals;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the Government’s reaction thereto?
MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI KRISHNA TIRATH)
(a) to (e): Based on the recommendations of a Task Force of the Ministry of Women & Child Development
with representation of various Ministries, including the Planning Commission, the nutritional and feeding
norms under ICDS Scheme were revised and detailed vide letter No. 5-9/2005/ND/Tech (Vol.II) dated 24.2.2009,
The revised norms, inter-alia, laid down:
(i) Early initiation and exclusive breast-feeding for children in the age group of 0-6 months;
(ii) Take Home Ration (THR) in the form of Micronutrient Fortified Food and/or Energy-dense food that is
more palatable to the child for children of 6 months to 3 years, in addition to the mixed practice of giving
dry or raw ration;
(iii) Morning snacks and Hot cooked meal to children of 3 to 6 years in Anganwadi Centres.
Hon’ble Supreme Court of India in its Order dated 22.4.2009, in Writ Petition (C) No. 196/2001 in
the matter of Peoples’ Union of Civil Liberties (PUCL) Vs. UOI & Ors., inter-alia, directed that norms
indicated in GOI letter have to be implemented forthwith and also directed all the States/UTs to provide
supplementary nutrition in the form of a morning snack and hot cooked meal to the children in the age group
of 3-6 years as contained in the letter dated 24.2.2009 preferably by 31st December, 2009. Accordingly,
Government of India had also requested all the State Governments/UT Administrations to comply with the
directions.