Lok Sabha Question No. 4279 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-11
Subject: Functioning of Anganwadi Centres
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: NINONG ERING, JYOTIRADITYA MADHAVRAO SCINDIA, R. VANAROJA

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4279

TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.08.2017

## FUNCTIONING OF ANGANWADI CENTRES

## 4279. SHRI NINONG ERING:

SHRI JYOTIRADITYA M. SCINDIA: SHRIMATI VANAROJA R.:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  Anganwadi  centres  under  the  Integrated  Child  Development Services  (ICDS)  scheme  which  have  been  set  up  to  provide  nutritional  support,  healthcare  and  preschool education to children under six years of age and pregnant and lactating mothers in order to reduce cases of mortality and malnutrition are not functioning according to the rules across the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof indicating irregularities found/reported in this regard;
- (c) whether the Govenment proposes to depute a central team to each State/UT to inspect the operations and the beneficiaries listed with the Anganwadi centres across the country;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (e) the further steps taken by the Government to bring transparency and effectiveness in the functioning of Anganwadi centres across the country?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI  KRISHNA  RAJ)

- (a) & (b): Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), a Centrally Sponsored Scheme implemented by States/UTs provides six services viz. Supplementary Nutrition (SN), Immunization, Health Check-ups, Referral  Services,  Pre-school  Non-  formal  Education  and  Health  &  Nutrition  Education  for  holistic development of children (0-6 years) and Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers. Government of India frames guidelines, releases funds (Government of India share) and monitors the implementation of the Scheme. All the States/UTs are expected to follow these guidelines in implementing the Scheme. During the  last  three  years  and  the  current  year,  35  complaints  have  been  received  regarding  improper implementation of the Scheme. The complaints received pertain to States / UTs of Assam (2016 - 2), Bihar (2016 - 1, 2017-2), Chandigarh (2016 - 1), Chhattisgarh (2016 - 1), Delhi (2016 - 1), Gujarat (2014 - 1), Haryana (2014 - 1), Jharkhand (2014 - 1), Maharashtra (2014 - 1, 2015 - 2, 2016-1, 20171), Madhya Pradesh (2016 - 5, 2017-2), Meghalaya (2016 - 1), Odisha (2016 - 1), Uttar Pradesh (2016 5, 2017-2) and Uttarakhand (2016 - 2, 2017-1).
- (c) & (d): The Ministry has been deputing sector-wise central teams of senior officers of the Ministry for inspection of various Schemes, including the Anganwadi Services, in all the States/UTs.
- (e) Ministry  of  Women  and  Child  Development  has  issued  guidelines  to  all  the  State  Governments/  UT Administrations  for  constituting  Monitoring  &  Review  Committees  at  different  levels  to  review implementation  of  the  ICDS  Scheme.  These  guidelines  provide  monitoring  &  review  mechanism  at different levels by involving public representatives for monitoring the status of Anganwadi Centres. The constitution  of  each  Committee,  their  role,  duties  and  responsibilities  have  been  prescribed  in  these detailed  guidelines.  Besides,  frequency  of  supervision  visits  by  field  functionaries  have  also  been provided.  Monitoring  and  evaluation  of  ICDS  Scheme  is  a  continuous  process  to  ensure  proper implementation of the scheme by States/ UTs. Monitoring is done through monthly & annual progress reports, reviews  as well as supervision visits etc. Based  on  the  analysis and feedback  State Governments/  UT  Administrations  are  advised  through  letters  and  review  meetings  to  address  the deficiencies and improve the implementation of the Scheme.

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