Question : Reopening of Anganwadis

(a) whether the Government has any plan to resume functioning of Anganwadis at full capacity under the unlock plan, if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government had taken any steps to provide for nutrition and vaccine facilities under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme during the lockdown phase and if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has taken any steps to ramp up nutrition and vaccine services under the ICDS scheme under the unlock plan;
(d) whether the Government has any plans to universalise the ICDS scheme and if so, the details thereof; and
(e) whether the Government has any proposal to include eggs in ICDS nutritional norms in order to improve the nutrition quotient and if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER FOR WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
(SRIMATI SMIRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a) Government has issued guidance note, dated 11.11.2020, for resuming Anganwadi Services to all States/UTs requesting them to develop their own SOP for re-opening AWC outside containment zones when the respective State/UT declares it safe for AWCs to operate. States/UTs were also directed to comply with the COVID-19 related directions issued by Government of India from time to time.

(b) Functioning of Anganwadi Centres during Covid-19 circumstances was permitted as per guidelines issued by Government on 15.04.2020 for distribution of food items and nutrition support by Anganwadi Workers, once in 15 days, at the doorstep of beneficiaries, i.e., children, women and lactating mothers to ensure continuous nutritional support.

(c) Guidance note for continuation of services in the context of COVID-19 was issued stating that States/UTs may provide cooked food and take home ration either at the AWCs or delivered at home, based on the prevailing local situation, while observing social distancing and hygiene protocols during storage, preparation and distribution of the same. Directions were given in the guidance note for strict monitoring of severely malnourished children, high risk pregnancy and lactating mothers and continued home-based delivery of services.

(d) Anganwadi Services have been expanded to cover all habitations across the country.

(e) Anganwadi Services is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, implemented through State Governments/UT Administrations, aimed at addressing health, nutrition and the development needs of children in the age group of 0-6 years, and pregnant and lactating mothers. Central government prescribes the calorie and protein content of the food for SNP to be provided through the meal whereas the recipe is decided by the States/UTs depending on local food and culturally appropriate habits.

A programme to support development of Poshan Vatikas at Anganwadi centers to meet dietary diversity gap leveraging traditional wisdom in nutritional practices has also been taken up.
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