(a) whether the Supreme Court of India in two separate judgements on April 29, 2004 and October 7, 2004 have directed that all sanctioned Anganwadi Centres and all sanctioned projects/programmes for Integrated Child Development Schemes should be made fully operational;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to implement fully these directives of the Supreme Court and success achieved in this regard?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI KANTI SINGH)
(a) Yes, Sir.
(b) In a Public Interest Litigation (WP No. 196/2001) filed
by PUCL, the Supreme Court, in its order dated 29.4.2004,
has, inter-alia, directed that the sanctioned Anganwadi
Centres shall be made fully operational by 30th June, 2004.
In its further order dated 7th October, 2004, the
Supreme Court, inter-alia, directed that all sanctioned
Projects shall be operationalized forthwith.
(c) There has been constant emphasis on States to
operationalise all sanctioned Projects and Anganwadi
Centres. As a result of concerted efforts and constant
follow-up with the States, the number of operational
Projects has increased from 5267 as on 31.3.2004 to 5422 as
on 31.3.2005. Similarly, number of operational Anganwadi
Centres has increased from 649307 to 706872 during the same
period.