Question : Sub-Standard Food in ICDS Scheme

(a) whether there are cases of deaths/sickness of school children has been reported due to consuming substandard quality of food served in Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme;
(b) if so, the details thereof indicating such incidents reported during the last three years and current year, State/UT-wise;
(c) whether some States are providing eggs under above schemes and if so, the details thereof;
(d) whether there is any difference in the quantity of nutrition and calories intake by children of the States providing eggs and States providing food without eggs in said schemes;
(e) if so, the details thereof;
(f) whether some States have sent any proposal to Government to introduce eggs in said schemes;
(g) if so, the details thereof along with the reaction of the Government thereto; and
(h) the steps taken by the Government to prevent the malpractices in the scheme?

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

(a) No, Madam.
(b) Does not arise.
(c) The Supplementary Nutrition is one of the Services provided under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme which is primarily designed to bridge the gap between the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) and the Average Daily Intake (ADI). Supplementary Nutrition is given to the children (6 months- 6 years) and pregnant women & lactating mothers under the ICDS Scheme.

The details of SNP provided to different category of beneficiaries as per the norms issued on 24-02-2009 are as under:-

Sl.No. Category Type of food
1. Children (0-6 months) Exclusive breastfeeding for first 6 months of life.
2. Children (6-36 months) Take Home Ration containing 500 calories of energy and 12-15 gms. of protein in the form that is palatable to the child. It could be given in the form of micro- nutrient fortified food and/or energy dense food.
3. Severely malnourished children (6-36 months) Food supplement of 800 calories of energy and 20-25 gms. of protein in the form of micronutrient fortified food and / or energy – dense Food as Take Home Ration.
4. Children (3-6 years) Food supplement of 500 calories of energy and 12-15 gms. of protein per child per day. Morning snack in the form of milk / banana / seasonal fruits etc. and Hot Cooked Meal.
5. Severely malnourished children (3-6 years) Additional 300 calories of energy and 8-10 gms. of protein (in addition to 500 calories of energy and 12-15 gms. of protein given at AWC) in the form of micro-nutrient fortified food and/or energy dense food.
6. Pregnant women and Nursing mothers Take Home Ration as food supplement of 600 calories of energy and 18-20 gms. of protein per beneficiary per day in the form of micro-nutrient fortified food and / or energy dense food.

The data relating to providing eggs by the States/UTs are not maintained in the Ministry.

(d) and (e): No, there is no difference in the calories intake of children of the states providing eggs and States providing food without eggs, since under Integrated Child Development Services Scheme, supplementary nutrition is provided to bridge the gap between the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) and Average Dietary Intake (ADI) and supplementary food is provided as per the above mentioned nutritional norms fixed by the Government.

(f) No, Madam.
(g) Does not arise.
(h) The Government of India has introduced a five tier monitoring and supervision mechanism for better implementation of ICDS Scheme. The District level monitoring and review committee is inter-alia responsible for supply and quality of supplementary nutrition in Anganwadi Centres.

Strengthening and Restructuring of ICDS, approved by Government of India on 22.10.2012, is also a step in this direction wherein programmatic, institutional and management gaps have been addressed for better implementation of ICDS Scheme during the 12th Five Year Plan.

The complaints, if received, in respect of irregularities / corruption in implementation of ICDS Scheme and in providing SNP are taken up with the concerned States / UTs for taking appropriate action. Reports on complaints which are serious in nature are sought from State Governments / UT Administrations.

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