Question : Supplementary Nutrition Programme under ICDS Scheme

(a) whether some States/UTs are implementing the Supplementary Nutrition Programme by providing special morning snacks and hot cooked meals to children between age 3-6 years under ICDS scheme;
(b) if so, the details thereof including additional financial assistance provided to such States/UTs, if any, for the purpose;
(c) whether the introduction of morning snacks under the said programme has made any impact on the health and nutritional status improvement of the children; and
(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons thereof?

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

(a) & (b): The Supplementary Nutrition is one of the six 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). Under the scheme, age appropriate morning snacks and hot cooked meal are provided to the children between age of 3-6 years at Anganwadi Centres. States/UTs are required to follow the nutrition norms prescribed under the Scheme which are as under:

S.
No. Categories Type of meal or food as per the nutritional standards specified in Schedule II of the Act Cost norms per beneficiary per day
(1) (2) (3) (4)
1 Children (Between 6 to 36 months) Take home ration as per Integrated Child Development Services guidelines in conformity with the provisions of the Act. Rs.6/-
2. Malnourished children (Between 6 to 36 months) The same type of take home ration as above with food supplement of 800 calories and 20-25 grams of protein. Rs.9/-
3. Children (Between 3 to 6 years) Morning snacks and hot cooked meal as per Integrated Child Development Services norms. Rs.6/-
4.
Malnourished children (Between 3 to 6 years) Additional 300 calories of energy and 8-10 grams of protein in addition to the meal or food provided to children between three to six years. Rs.9/-
5. Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers Take home ration as per Integrated Child Development Services guidelines in conformity with the provisions of the Act. Rs.7/-

Apart from above, some of the States/UTs also provide additional nutrition including morning snacks to ICDS beneficiaries from their own resources.

(c) & (d): The impact assessment on health and nutrition status of children is done by National Family Health Surveys (NFHS) periodically conducted by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. The latest NFHS-4 shows a decline as compared to NFHS-3.

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