Question : ANGANWADI AND MINI-AGANWADI CENTRES

(a) the number of Anganwadi and Mini- Anganwadi centres functioning in the country, State-wise;

(b) the details of the facilities provided in these centres;

(c) the details of funds sanctioned and spent on these centres during the last three years and the current year, year-wise and State-wise;

(d) whether the Union Government has received any request from the State Governments for setting up of additional Anganwadi centres;

(e) if so, the details thereof and the decision taken by the Union Government thereon;

(f) whether the Government has received complaints regarding exploitation of Anganwadi workers and helpers in the country;

(g) if so, the details thereof, State-wise including Jharkhand; and

(h) the action taken by the Government?

MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT(SHRIMATI KRISHNA TIRATH)

(a) to (h): With a view to universalize the ICDS, Government of India has approved 14 lakh Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) including Mini-AWCs and 20,000 Anganwadi - on- Demand. Based on the requirements indicated from time to time by the State Governments/ UT Administrations, Government of India has so far sanctioned 13.67 lakh AWCs/Mini- AWCs. There are 12.66 lakh AWCs/ Mini-AWCs functioning in the country as on 30.6.2011. State-wise details are at Annex-I.

Government has information available in respect of 11.13 lakh AWCs/ mini-AWCs in 33 States/UTs according to which 57.48% AWCs have drinking water facilities within the premises and 6.61% AWCs have toilet facilities. As per the schematic norms of ICDS Scheme, Medicine Kit, Pre-school Education Kit, Joint Mother & Child Protection Card, Growth Monitoring Chart, Other Petty items such as tumbler, bucket, mug etc. are to be provided to each AWC besides uniform for AWW and Helper. In addition, Flexi fund for indicative activities like transportation of ICDS beneficiaries requiring urgent medical care, local innovations and Community contact programmes, purchase of utensils, unforeseen referral services, emergency services, etc. is also provided to each Anganwadi Centre.

Statements indicating State-wise details of funds released to States/UTs and expenditure reported by States/UTs under ICDS (General) and Supplementary Nutrition during the last three years and the current year(as on 31.7.2011) are given in Annex- II-A and Annex- II-B respectively.

During the year 2011, 5 complaints regarding exploitation of Anganwadi workers and Anganwadi helpers one each from Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh have been received and all these complaints have been forwarded to the concerned State Government for taking appropriate action in the matter.