(a) whether some Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) in the country lack basic infrastructural facilities
such as toilet, drinking water, separate kitchen, etc.;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto; and
(c) the steps taken by the Government to provide infrastructural facilities in AWCs and the
funds earmarked for the purpose, State/ UT-wise ?
MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
(SHRIMATI KRISHNA TIRATH)
(a), (b) & (c): As per information available for 12.52 lakhs Anganwadi Centres (AWCs)/ mini-AWCs,
6,29,688 (50.28%) AWCs are reported to have toilet facilities, 8,89,834 (71.05%) AWCs have
drinking water facilities within the premises and 3,54,936 (28.34%) AWCs have separate kitchen
as on 31.12.2012.
The implementation of ICDS Scheme is continuously monitored through prescribed monthly & annual
progress reports, reviews, as well as, supervision visits etc. Based on the inputs and feedback
received, State Governments/ UT Administrations are addressed through letters and review meetings
to address the deficiencies and to improve the implementation of the Scheme including
infrastructure and facilities like availability of toilet, drinking water and separate
kitchen at the AWCs.
Letters under the joint signature of Secretary, Ministry of Women and Child Development
and Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation have been sent to the States/ UTs to ensure
convergence for effective implementation of the ICDS Scheme.
Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme did not have provision for construction
of AWC buildings under the scheme as this was envisaged to be provided by the community except
for the North Eastern States for which financial support was being provided for construction
of AWC buildings since 2001-02 at a unit cost of Rs.1.75 lakh.
As a part of Strengthening and Restructuring of ICDS Scheme, Government has approved a provision
for construction of 2 lakh Anganwadi Centre buildings @ Rs.4.5 lakh per unit and upgradation of
2 lakh AWC buildings @ Rs 1 lakh per unit during XII Plan period in a phased manner with cost
sharing ratio of 75 : 25 between Centre and State other than the NER, where it will be at 90 :
10. Also recently, the Ministry of Rural Development (MORD) has included construction of AWCs
as an eligible authorised activity in the list of new works permitted under MGNREGA.
After Strengthening and Restructuring of ICDS Scheme, release of funds to the States/ UTs for
all the components under ICDS including for infrastructure is Annual Programme Implementation
Plan (APIP) based. States/ UTs have to project their requirement of funds based on the proposals
included in the APIP. Funds will be released on approval of APIP.