Lok Sabha Question No. 1053 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-18
Subject: Anganwadis and Child Care Centres
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: N.K. Premachandran

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1053

TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.09.2020

## ANGANWADIS AND CHILD CARE CENTRES

1053. SHRI N.K. PREMACHANDRAN:

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

- (a) whether the Government has taken note that COVID-19 has exposed gaps in Indian Child Protection;
- (b) if so, the action taken thereon;

(c) whether  it  has  come  to  the  notice  of  the  Government  that  the  functioning  of Anganwadis  and  Child  Care  Centres  are  disturbed  due  to  lockdown  and  restrictions  of COVID-19;

- (d)      if  so,the  initiatives  taken  by  the  Government  for  implementing  alternative  methods towards ensuring the supply of foods and care to the children;
- (e)      whether  the  Government  is  aware  that  the  restrictions  imposed  during  the  lockdown have adversely affected the physical and mental health of Children ; and
- (f)     if so, the action taken thereon?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SRIMATI SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a)  to  (f):  As  per  the  directions  issued  by  Ministry  of  Home  Affairs,  under  Disaster Management Act, 2005, all the Anganwadi Centres across the country were closed to limit the impact of COVID-19.  However, to ensure continuous nutritional support to Anganwadi beneficiaries,  Anganwadi  Worker  and  Helpers  have  been  distributing  supplementary Nutrition  at  the  doorsteps  of the  beneficiaries.  Further,  this  Ministry  has  issued  necessary directions  to  the  States/UTs  to  ensure  distribution  of  food  items  and  nutrition  support  by Anganwadi  Workers,  once  in  15  days,  at  the  doorstep  of  beneficiaries.  In  addition, Anganwadi Workers and Anganwadi Helpers have been assisting the local administration in community surveillance, creating awareness or other works assigned to them from time to time.

Ministry  has  issued  an  advisory  to  Principal  Secretaries  of  all  the  States/UTs  to  issue necessary  instructions  to  all  the  concerned  officers  dealing  with  Anganwadi  Services  to ensure implementation of the above mentioned tasks and to spread awareness among the beneficiaries and local villagers about the Do's and Don't's related to COVID-19 and also to ensure proper sanitation at Anganwadi Centres.

The Ministry has issued advisories to States/UTs, Childline India Foundation and Child Care Institutions  (CCIs)  to  ensure  precautionary  measures  for  safety  and  protection  of  children living in CCIs and children in distress.

The  Ministry  of  Women  and  Child  Development  in  consultation  with  National  Institute  of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences (NIMHANS) had issued Coping strategies to deal with stress  during  lockdown.  NIMHANS  has  provided  counseling  to  people  across  the  country through its helpline.

National Commission for Protection of Child Rights has issued advisory regarding care and protection of children moving with migrant families; children living on streets/CCIs in light of COVID-19.To ensure protection of children, NCPCR has issued instructions to Child Welfare Police Officer for regular monitoring of such children