(a) whether the allocated funds for Supplementary Nutrition Programme (SNP) under Integrated
Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme have not been fully utilised;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
(c) whether the coverage of SNP is lesser than the intended level;
(d) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
(e) the measures taken or proposed by the Government in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
(SHRIMATI KRISHNA TIRATH)
(a) & (b): The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme is a centrally sponsored
Scheme implemented by States/ UTs across the country. Funds in the form of Grants-in-aid are
released to the State Governments / UT Administrations for implementation of the ICDS Scheme in
respective State/ UT. For Supplementary Nutrition Programme under ICDS the sharing of expenditure
between the Central Government and State/ UT is in the ratio of 50:50 except North East States
where it is 90:10. Funds are released to States/ UTs on the basis of number of beneficiaries reported
and expenditure incurred for providing supplementary nutrition by them, keeping in view the approved
cost norms for various categories of beneficiaries. A statement indicating quantum of funds released
state-wise by the Central Government for Supplementary Nutrition Programme during each of the last
three years and current year and expenditure reported by States on SNP including their shares is
Annexed.
(c) & (d): The coverage of SNP alongwith other services under the ICDS is universal.
However, ICDS is a self-selecting Scheme. States are required to provide Supplementary Nutrition
to all eligible beneficiaries, i.e., Children (6 months to 6 years) and pregnant & lactating mothers
under ICDS as per the schematic pattern and norms of the ICDS Scheme. There are 927.65 lakhs
beneficiaries for supplementary nutrition including 746.81 lakh children (6 months to 6 years)
and 180.84 lakhs pregnant and lactating mothers in 13.31 lakh operational AWCs as on 31.01.2013.
States are requested from time to time to optimize the coverage of beneficiaries under ICDS Scheme.
(e): The Government has introduced a 5-tier Monitoring & Review Mechanism at National, State,
District, Block and Anganwadi levels and has issued the guidelines on 31.03.2011. For the Committees
at the State level and the District level, Members of Parliament (MPs) and Members of Legislative
Assemblies (MLAs) have been given representations. Five MPs and five MLAs have been included in the
State level Committee on a rotational basis, whereas all the MPs & MLAs of the District are the
members of the District Level Committee.