Question : Anganwadi Centres

(a) whether the Government proposes to set up Nand Ghar, modernised Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) across the country, if so, the details thereof and the number of such AWCs operational so far and likely to be set up in the country in the coming years, State/UT-wise along with the budgetary provisions made by the Government in this regard;
(b) whether the Government has sought private participation for construction, modernisation and development of infrastructure of AWCs across the country, if so, the details thereof along with the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) singed by the Government with private parties under Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode so far, Private Party and State/UT-wise;
(c) whether the Central Bureau of Investigation has been scanning any of the said private parties for their involvement in donation to political parties and other irregularities in the country, if so, the details thereof and the reasons for signing MoU with such parties;
(d) the number of Anganwadi Workers/Helpers belonging to the Scheduled Castes/Tribes/Other Backward Classes appointed in the AWCs across the country during each of the last three years and the current year gender, category and State/UT-wise; and
(e) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to ensure adequate AWCs/modernised AWCs and AWs/AHs therein across the country?

MINISTER OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
(SHRIMATI MANEKA SANJAY GANDHI)

(a) The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme implemented by States/UTs. The Scheme provides for a package of six services comprising (i) Supplementary nutrition; (ii) Pre-school non-formal education; (iii) Nutrition and health education; (iv) Immunization; (v) Health check-up; and (vi) Referral services. These services are provided at Anganwadi Centres (AWCs).
Under the restructuring and strengthening of ICDS approved during the XII Five Year Plan, construction of 2 lakh Anganwadi Centre (AWC) buildings @ Rs. 4.5 lakh per unit has been approved. For modernization and repair of existing AWCs, upgradation of 2 lakh AWCs @ Rs. 1 lakh per unit have been sanctioned. During the year 2013-14, 44,709 AWC buildings were sanctioned for construction. For upgradation, 42,642 and 44,651 AWC buildings were sanctioned during 2013-14 and 2014-15 respectively. The State/UT-wise list of construction and upgradation of AWC buildings approved during the above period is at Annexure I. These AWC buildings are to be constructed/upgraded by the State Governments/UT Administration implementing the ICDS Scheme.

There is no proposal to construct Nand Ghar across the country. However, one AWC building named as Nand Ghar has been constructed by M/s Vedanta at Sonepat, Haryana.

(b) Some corporate houses have expressed their interest to construct/upgrade the AWC buildings under the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Neither any Memorandum of Understanding has been signed nor is there any proposal to enter into Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode.

(c) No Memorandum of Understanding has been signed with any corporate house for construction of AWC building under CSR.

(d) No such data is maintained at the national level.

(e) The Government has approved 14 lakh AWCs which have been sanctioned to the States/UTs out of which 13.45 lakh AWCs are operational as on 31.3.2015. A provision for upgradation/modernization of AWCs exists in the scheme as mentioned in para (a) above.

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