Question : ICDS Scheme

(a) whether some State Governments has sought Union Government advice for use of extrusion technology for preparation of take home rations under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme;
(b) if so, the details thereof indicating the names of such States;
(c) whether there is a need to maintain quality in food served to infants and pregnant women and nursing mothers under the Government’s supplementary Nutrition Scheme;
(d) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Union Government in this regard;
(e) whether Supreme Court of India has strictly prohibited to award food contracts to private manufacturers;
(f) if so, whether some State Governments have thereafter continued awarding contracts to the private manufacturers in spite of Supreme Court orders; and
(g) if so, the action taken by the Union Government in this regard?

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

(a) &(b) The State of Maharashtra has sought advice for use of extrusion technology for preparation of Take Home Ration (THR) under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme.
(c) Yes, Madam. It is necessary to maintain quality of food served to infants and pregnant and nursing mothers under the Supplementary Nutrition Programme (SNP).
(d) In order to ensure the quality of supplementary nutrition, Food and Nutrition Board (FNB) of this Ministry in collaboration with the State Governments/UTs carries out surprise checks to ensure that prescribed standards with reference to nutritional norms are adhered to and maintained properly. The SNP food samples are analysed at the quality control laboratories of FNB located in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai. Besides, the State Governments have also been advised to get the SNP samples tested from NABL accredited State Government Laboratories to ensure that the food served to the beneficiaries conforms to the prescribed standards. Additionally, the Government has issued the operational guidelines of Food Safety and Hygiene in ICDS to the States/UTs.
(e) to (g) The Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme is a centrally sponsored scheme implemented by the State Governments/UT Administrations. The States/UTs are responsible to implement the scheme and follow the directions/guidelines issued in this regard.
The Supreme Court of India in PIL 196/2001 – “PUCL Vs. Union of India” - passed an order dated 7.10.2004 inter-alia directing that the contractors shall not be used for supply of nutrition in Anganwadis and preferably ICDS funds shall be spent by making use of village communities, self-help groups and Mahila Mandals for buying grains and preparation of meals.
In yet another judgement dated 19.8.2011 in the case titled “Shagun Mahila Udyogik Sahakari Sanstha Maryadit Vs. State of Maharashtra”, the Apex Court stressed on hygiene, quality and standard of the food prepared for children covered under the ICDS scheme. Accordingly, Government of India issued advisories dated 9.5.2012 and 26.9.2014 to all the States/UTs for strict compliance of the directions of the Supreme Court. The States/UTs are mandated to follow these directions/guidelines.

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