Question : Impact of COVID-19 on Integrated Child Development Services

710. SHRI K. MURALEEDHARAN:
SHRI ANTO ANTONY:
SHRI KARTI P. CHIDAMBARAM:

Will the Minister of WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

(a) whether there has been a decline in the registration of beneficiaries under Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme between 2014 and 2020, if so, the details thereof and reasons therefor;

(b) the total number of child beneficiaries under the ICDS scheme since 2014, year-wise;

(c) the total number of pregnant and lactating mothers registered as beneficiaries under ICDS scheme since 2014, year-wise;

(d) whether COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the implementation of ICDS scheme and if so, the details thereof;

(e) whether any additional duties or responsibilities were entrusted upon Anganwadi centres during the pandemic and if so, the details thereof; and

(f) whether the Ministry is considering any proposal to increase the honorarium paid to Anganwadi workers and if so, the details thereof?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
(SHRIMATI SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a) to (c) Year-wise details of beneficiaries including children (6 months - 6 years) and Pregnant Women & Lactating Mothers under Anganwadi Services Scheme between the years 2014 - 2020 is Annexed. Data available is as per digitized records.

(d) & (e) During COVID-19, functioning of Anganwadi Centres were permitted as per guidelines issued by Government from time to time. Accordingly, the distribution of food items and nutrition support were provided by Anganwadi Workers once in 15 days at the doorstep of beneficiaries, e.g., children, women and lactating mothers Anganwadi Workers and Helpers were engaged in COVID-19 awareness drive and specifically assigned responsibilities to generate awareness about proper sanitation and health education to children and their parents, conduct of community surveillance, etc.

(f) Government of India has enhanced the honorarium of AWWs from ?3,000/- to ?4,500/- per month; AWWs at Mini- AWCs from ?2,250/- to ?3,500/- per month and AWHs from ?1,500/- to ?2,250/- per month .

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Annexure

ANNEXURE REFERRED IN REPLY TO PART (a), (b) & (c) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 710 FOR 05.02.2021 REGARDING “IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON INTEGRATED CHILD DEVELOPMENT SERVICES” ASKED BY SHRI K. MURALEEDHARAN, SHRI ANTO ANTONY AND SHRI KARTI P. CHIDAMBARAM

Year-wise details of SNP beneficiaries of Anganwadi Services
Beneficiaries Categories 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020
Children (6 month- 6 yrs) 84940601 82899424 82878916 80073473 71941717 70374122 68630173
Pregnant & Lactating Mothers Total 19568216 19333605 19252368 18268917 17335216 17186549 16874975
Total (Children & Pregnant & Lactating Mothers) 104508817 102233029 102131284 98342390 89276933 87560671 85505148

NOTE: Figure as on March ending.