(a) whether some States are not adhering to the guidelines of the Integrated Child
Development Services (ICDS) Scheme;
(b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise;
(c) the reaction of the Union Government thereto;
(d) whether instances of grains being procured at higher prices for the ICDS
supplementary nutrition programme have come to the notice of the Government; and
(e) if so, the details thereof along with the corrective measures taken in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI KRISHNA TIRATH)
(a)to (e): Under the Schematic norms of the Integrated Child Development
Services (ICDS) Scheme, Government of India is responsible for the Programme
Planning and State/UT Governments are responsible for the implementation of
the Programme. States usually adhere to the guidelines issued by the Ministry
of Women of Child Development in Government of India. Some of the issues in
which guidelines have not been adhered fully relates to: operationalization
of Anganwadi centres & population norms; vacancies at different levels; issues
relating to manner of delivery and non-adherence to cost norms, nutritional
norms and not achieving 300 days in providing Supplementary Nutrition
Programme (SNP) etc. Besides, many states are not utilizing norm based funds
for components such as Pre School Education kits, Medicine kits, flexi fund
and other components of programme fully and their progress has been uneven.
Additionally, there is a facility for providing foodgrains (Wheat/Rice/Coarse
grains) under Wheat Based Nutrition Programme (WBNP) to the States/UTs. Under
this, foodgrains are allocated to States/UTs at BPL rates for use in various
menus of Supplementary Nutrition under the ICDS Scheme and to cushion the
inflation/market price in foodgrains. As per available information, during
the current year, 27 States/UTs are availing of foodgrains under the WBNP.
The States/UTs which are not availing foodgrains under the Programme are
Arunachal Pradesh, Delhi, Assam, Bihar, Chandigarh Administration, Lakshadweep,
UT Administration of Daman & Diu and Puduchery.
Implementation of ICDS Scheme is monitored through prescribed monthly & annual
progress reports, reviews, as well as, supervision visits etc. Food samples are
also collected by the field unit of Food & Nutrition Board (FNB) for quality
assessment. Based on the inputs and feedback received, State Governments/ UT
Administrations are addressed through letters and review meetings to address
the deficiencies and work towards better implementation of the Scheme.
Further, in order to improve the implementation of ICDS Scheme, Government
has recently set up a 5-tier monitoring & review mechanism at National,
State, District, Block and Anganwadi Levels and has issued the guidelines on 31.03.2011.