(a) whether the Government and the United Nations International Children Education Fund (UNICEF) have differences over the issue of extending cash transfer scheme to the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme;
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor and the steps being taken by the Government to resolve the differences; and
(c) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to ensure that the benefits of the Scheme reach the intended beneficiaries?
MINISTER OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI MANEKA SANJAY GANDHI)
(a): There is no such proposal under consideration of Government of India to extend cash transfer scheme to the beneficiaries under Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme.
(b): Does not arise.
(c): States/UTs have been requested from time to time to optimize coverage of beneficiaries under the ICDS Scheme. ICDS Scheme is self selecting Scheme.
In order to improve the performance of ICDS, Government has introduced 5-tier monitoring and review mechanism at different levels (National/State/District/Block and Anganwadi level) by involving public representatives for review of progress in implementation of the ICDS Scheme. Government has issued guidelines on 31.3.2011 for constitution of Monitoring and Review Committees at different levels for this purpose. As per available information, 30 States have constituted the Monitoring and Supervision Committee at all levels.
Strengthening and Restructuring of ICDS, approved by Government of India in September 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.