Lok Sabha Question No. 5029 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-04-01
Subject: Corruption in Anganwadi Kendra
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Rahul Kaswan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5029

TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.04.2022

## CORRUPTION IN ANGANWADI KENDRA

## 5029. SHRI RAHUL KASWAN:

Will the Minister of Women and Child Development be pleased to state:

- (a) whether alleged deep rooted corruption in Anganwadi Kendra regarding quality, authenticity and other criteria for nutritional meals distributed at such centres, has been observed/reported;
- (b) if so, the details of such cases reported in Rajasthan, district-wise;
- (c) whether  complaints  are  being  received  about  Mahila  Bal  Vikas  Adhikari  and  other  staff  at Anganwadi Kendras for giving the task of distribution of nutritional meals to Non-Governmental Organization and their Self-Help Groups;
- (d) if  so,  the  steps  taken/proposed  to  be  taken  by  the  Government  to  prevent  malpractices  in nutritional meals distribution; and
- (e) whether the Government proposes to bring any policy for ensuring transparency in distribution of nutritional meals to every child below the age of five years?

## ANSWER

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

- (a)  to  (d):         Saksham  Anganwadi  and  Poshan  2.0  (earlier  known  as  Anganwadi  Services  under Umbrella  Integrated  Child  Development   Services)   is  a  Centrally  Sponsored  Scheme  and  the administration,  management  &  monitoring  regarding  implementation  of  the  Anganwadi  Services  is being  done  by  the  concerned  State  Government/UT  Administration.  All  Human  resource  matters including recruitment, training, retirement etc are being handled by the concerned State Government/UT  Administration.  The  States/  UTs  are  responsible  for  their  administrative  control. Action against any misconduct or  involvement of any employee in corrupt practices is taken by the respective State Governments/ UT Administrations as per their service rules.
- (e)       This Ministry, vide letter dated 13.01.2021 (Annexure) have issued  Streamlining Guidelines on Quality Assurance, Roles and Responsibilities of Duty Holders, procedure for procurement, Integrating  AYUSH  concepts  and  Data  Management  and  Monitoring  through  'Poshan  Tracker'  for transparency, efficiency and accountability in delivery of Supplementary Nutrition.  Further, a robust ICT  enabled  platform  named  Poshan  tracker has  been  designed to  capture  real-time  data  on implementation  and  monitoring  of  Anganwadi  Services  across  the  country.  The  Poshan  Tracker management  application  provides  a  360  -  degree  view  of  the  activities  of  the  Anganwadi  Centre (AWC), service deliveries of Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) and complete beneficiary management.

*****

To

New Delhi   Dated 13 th January 2021 The Chief Secretary

All States/UTs

Subject: Streamlining Guidelines on Quality Assurance, Roles and Responsibilities  of  Duty  Holders,  procedure  for  procurement,  integrating AYUSH  concepts  and  Data  Management  and  Monitoring  through  'Poshan Tracker'  for transparency,  efficiency  and  accountability  in  delivery  of Supplementary Nutrition - reg

Sir/ Madam,

The  Supplementary  Nutrition  Programme  (SNP)  under  Anganwadi  Services  and the  POSHAN  Abhiyaan  are  important  programmes  to  address  the  issue  of malnutrition in the country. Under these programmes, there is need to ensure that entitlements reach the intended beneficiaries in a time-bound manner as per quality and nutritional standards for  the  achievement of nutritional goals. Towards this objective, existing guidelines are streamlined as follows:

## Quality Assurance :

Adherence to Quality Standards and Testing:

States/UTs shall ensure the quality of Supplementary Nutrition being provided with  reference  to  the  norms  of  food  safety  as  well  as  nutrient  composition. Supplementary Nutrition must conform to prescribed standards laid down under the  Food  Safety  and  Standards  Act,  2006  and  regulations  made  thereunder  to ensure  consistent  quality  and  nutritive  value  per  serving.  The  periodicity  of sample testing shall be once in a quarter of an annual year, per project.

Take-Home Ration (not raw ration), shall be tested from FSSAI owned/registered/empaneled/NABL accredited laboratory. Random testing must be conducted by Anganwadi Services functionaries after receipt of stock at the AWC  or  at  the  Block  level.  Anganwadi  Services  functionaries  i.e.  CDPO  or Supervisor shall draw the samples, as per the prescribed procedure and send the sample  for  testing  to  a  FSSAI  owned/registered/empaneled/NABL  accredited laboratory.

In case of Hot Cooked Meal, it should be ensured that it is prepared in proper kitchen sheds having adequate sanitation and safe drinking water so as to maintain hygienic conditions.

## No. CD-I-24/2/2022-US (e-90701) Government of India Ministry of Women and Child Development Shastri Bhawan

## 2. Supply-Chain Management :

Supply chain process in the States must be made transparent for functionaries to ensure  uninterrupted  supply  to  the  last  mile,  which  are  compliant  with  FSSAI registration-licensing  process  for  entities  involved  in  manufacture,  storage  and distribution of food to ensure food safety and hygiene.

## A. At District Level:

The  District  Magistrate  shall  be  the  Nodal  Point  in  the  district  for  monitoring nutritional status and quality standards. The DM/Collector shall chair, supervise and monitor the activities of the District Nutrition Committee. Nutrition Experts suggested  in  District  Committee  have  to  be  mandatorily  certified  nutrition experts.  The  Child  Development  Project  Officer  (CDPO)  who  is  responsible  for administration and implementation of nutrition and ICDS projects, shall carry out major responsibilities as follows under the supervision of the DM/Collector:

-  coordinate and evaluate deliveries in the district as a Key Performance Indicator of the DM/Collector for nutritional improvement of beneficiaries, especially SAM/MAM children;
-  undertake  overall  administration  and  coordination  of  the  nutrition  project  and ensure  smooth  and  effective  delivery  of  all  intended  services  in  the  project jurisdiction;
-  conduct periodic monitoring including surprise spot-checks, draw samples for quality testing  of  supplementary  nutrition  (THR  and  HCM)  provided,  ensure  adequate measures  for  food  safety  and  hygiene  are  followed  throughout  the  supply  chain, assess  the  quality  of  pre-school  delivery  etc.,  to  ensure  quality  and  undertake necessary course correction;
-  monitor distribution of necessary stocks for delivery of key services;
-  participate in the VHSND meetings, community-based events, Jan Andolan activities etc. to motivate field functionaries and beneficiaries;
-  facilitate preparation of Block Convergence Action Plan and its implementation;
-  conduct Joint Field Visits with Medical Officer (MD) and Joint Review Meetings on monthly basis, especially with regards to SAM children;
-  ensure collation of monthly progress reports for the District and share with the State;
-  when visiting AWCs, CDPO must conduct home-visits for pregnant women, new-born and infants crossing 6-months and undertake age-appropriate nutrition counseling, to train and demonstrate the importance of home-visits and counseling to AWWs and motivate them to undertake regular home visits.

## B. At State Level:

Nutrition requires convergence of various services that contribute to improved nutritional status. This requires strong and effective multi-department convergent  efforts  and  actions  to  address  malnutrition.  Therefore,  Chief Secretary  of  the  States/UTs  should  coordinate  the  activities  of  various departments  through  a  State  Level  Steering  Committee  to  ensure  effective convergence between various schemes/programs having bearing on nutrition and  review  the  progress  made  regarding  Nutritional  Indicators  on  regular basis.

Secretaries of different departments may assess how their schemes/programs can positively impact nutrition levels and also how POSHAN Abhiyaan can be supported to build awareness and create Jan Andolan around nutrition.

## (C)           In Village:

Involvement of AWC Level Management Committees, village communities, Mothers Groups, and Panchayati Raj Institutions (Poshan Panchayats) will bring community ownership and encourage accountability.

## 3.          Data Management and Monitoring through Poshan Tracker:

The POSHAN Tracker has been built by Ministry of Women and Child Development, Govt of India  using  centralized  data  architecture  that  also  aligns  with  the  digital  technology systems of other Ministries and programs. The system provides a  digital identity to each beneficiary and generates automated alerts to the critical last-mile beneficiaries. It also ensures  efficient  audit  of  the  delivery  system  by  documenting  real  time  attendance  of beneficiaries and duty bearers. Such a robust digital technology platform and management information system will help the nutrition mission to scale efficiently, thereby generating significant positive impact and documentation thereof.

Poshan Tracker management application will provide a 360-degree view of the activities of the  Anganwadi  Centre  (AWC),  service  deliveries  of  Anganwadi  Workers  (AWWs)  and complete beneficiary management for pregnant women, lactating mothers and children. The system enables real-time monitoring and tracking of all AWCs, AWWs and beneficiaries on defined indicators. It also ensures efficient audit of the delivery system, by documenting  real  time  attendance  of  beneficiaries,  duty  bearers  and  actual  receipt  of Supplementary  Nutrition  through  QR  Code/OTP  etc.  Such  a  robust  digital  technology platform and management information system will help to bring positive impact. Hence, all States/ UTs shall mandatorily implement Poshan Tracker.

## 4.  Procedure for Procurement:

State/UT must introduce transparent processes for procurement as per GFR and vigilance guidelines and ensure that THR procured conforms to technical and nutritional standards set by MoWCD.

## 5. Convergence:  Roles and Responsibilities at Grassroots Level

Oversight services at the grassroots level by key stakeholders are critical for achieving good nutritional outcomes. Such services can be strengthened appropriately by counseling the mothers of children at AWCs. The Mothers Groups and Poshan Panchayat platforms can play an  important  role  in  ensuring  that  interventions  designed  to  address  malnutrition  are monitored and successfully implemented in each household. Details are at Annexure I .

## 6.  Integrating AYUSH concepts for holistic nourishment

The Science of AYUSH is a system that builds and promotes health and wellness and can address the requirements of nutrition by tapping into the country's indigenous traditional practices. Details are at Annexure II .

7. States shall launch a drive for identification of SAM children for referral to hospitals (if required) and AYUSH centers in accordance with the detailed action plan approved by the  District  Nutrition  Committee  to  be  finalized  in  consultation  with  the  Chief  Medical Officer. This exercise shall be completed by 31 st January 2021. The suggested composition of the District Nutrition Committee is at Annexure III .
8.      Nutrition  is  a  multi-faceted  concept  with  multiple  determinants.  While  Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) deliver services aimed at improving nutrition, the role of other functionaries  and  programs  are  equally  vital.  Health  care,  water,  sanitation,  hygiene, mother's  education,  etc.  are  some  of  the  critical  factors  that  contribute  to  improved nutritional status. Ensuring that all these services converge on a household is essential for reducing  undernutrition  in  the  country.  This  calls  for  strong  and  effective  convergent actions on nutritional quality and delivery. Detailed joint letters issued to States/ UTs by this Ministry converging with other Ministries, are annexed herewith for ready reference. Convergence with various departments may regularly be reviewed for effective implementation.
9.     States/ UTs are required to adhere to these guidelines scrupulously.
10.   Guidelines on Convergence are given at Annexure IV.

This issues with approval of Competent Authority.

Encl:

As Above

Copy to:

All concerned GoI Ministries

(Dr Harmeet Singh)

Director

## Convergence Initiatives for Improving Nutrition:  Roles and Responsibilities of Key Grassroots Stakeholders

## Family / Mother

In the fight against hunger and under nutrition, perhaps the most important timeframe is the first 1,000 days between a woman's pregnancy and her child's 2 nd birthday. The right nutrition during this 1,000-day window can have a profound impact on a child's ability to grow, learn, and rise out of  poverty.  A  community's  long-term  economic  health,  stability  and prosperity  hangs  in  the balance when children are at risk. Young children, especially those under two, are at a fragile time in  their  physical  development.  Malnutrition  and  under  nutrition  during  this  timeframe  can have long-term and irreversible effects.

More than a quarter of children under two years of age do not eat a diversified diet. There is a direct  correlation  between  mothers'  education  and  the  well-being  of  children.   Children  with mothers  with  no  education  have  least  diversified  diets.  Levels  of  stunting,  wasting  and  anaemia prevalence are higher in children whose mothers received no schooling.

Mother's  nutrition-related  knowledge  can  be  assessed  based  on  five  key  nutrition  and  health information as follows: (i)  mother's knowledge of the important  of colostrum; (ii) knowledge of continued  breastfeeding; (iii) knowledge  of  diarrhea prevention  and treatment  using  Oral Rehydration  Solution  (ORS);  (iv)  knowledge  of  child  immunization;  and  (v)  knowledge  of  family planning.

It is important for Mothers Groups to receive counseling at the Poshan Panchayats on key nutrition and  health  information.  These  counseling  sessions  can  be  organized  by  the  CDPO/DPO  once  a fortnight. AWWs in the panchayat area and the VHSNC should also participate for coordinated and meaningful outcomes.

Mothers Groups can use the platform of the Poshan Panchayat and AWC to pool-in knowledge on traditional recipes and food formulations and make efforts to popularize these in their households and in community-based events.

## Poshan Panchayats

The role of Panchayati Raj Institutions is very important for the success of nutritional interventions. The Panchayati Raj Department through Poshan Panchayats can play a very active role  for  malnutrition  free  India  through  a  Jan  Andolan.  Awareness  generation  on  the  effects  of malnutrition  at  the  Poshan  Panchayat  platform  can  be  the  first  step.  At  the  grassroots  level, Poshan Panchayats can serve as a useful convergence platform for Mothers Groups and VHSNC to discuss issues of nutrition and wellness and sensitize people about the importance of nutritional deliveries for children at the AWC level.

Functionaries  of  the  Anganwadi  Centre  (AWW,  AWH,  ASHA  and  AXM)  should  participate  such meetings.

The Poshan Panchayat shall also have the mandate of oversight services with regard to receipt of THR (not raw ration), quality thereof and distribution to all beneficiaries.

## Village Health and Nutrition Committee

The committee has been formed to take collective actions on issues related to health and its social determinants at the village level. They are particularly envisaged as being central to 'local level community action' under NRHM, to support the process of decentralised Health Planning. Thus, the committee is envisaged to take leadership in providing a platform for improving health awareness and  access  of  community  for  health  services,  address  specific  local  needs  and  serve  as  a mechanism for community-based planning and monitoring.

The committee is formed at the revenue village level and is expected to act as a sub-committee of the Gram Panchayat.  All those working for health and health related services should participate, including  community  members/  beneficiaries  and  representation  from  all  community  sub-groups especially vulnerable sections and hamlets/ habitations.

## Roles and Responsibilities

- o Create awareness about nutritional issues and significance of nutrition as an important determinant of health.
- o Carry out survey on nutritional status and nutritional deficiencies in the village especially among women and children.
- o Identify locally available food stuffs of high nutrient value as well as disseminate and promote best practices (traditional wisdom) congruent with local culture, capabilities and physical environment through a process of community consultation.
- o Include nutritional needs in the Village Health Plan - The committee will do an in-depth analysis of causes of malnutrition at the community and household levels, by involving the ANM, AWW, ASHA and ICDS Supervisors.
- o Monitor and supervise Village Health and Nutrition Day to ensure that it is organized every month in the village with the active participation of the whole village.
- o Facilitate early detection of malnourished children in the community; tie up referral to the nearest Nutritional Rehabilitation Centre (NRC) as well as follow up for sustained outcome.
- o Supervise the functioning of Anganwadi Centre (AWC) in the village and facilitate its working in improving nutritional status of women and children.
- o Act as a grievance's redressal forum on health and nutrition issues.

Source: NRLM

## District AYUSH In-charge

AYUSH  facilities  are  co-located  in  several  District  Hospitals,  Community  Health  Centers  and Primary Health Centers in the country. The principles and therapeutics of Ayurveda as modalities of intervention for community nutrition and health problems shall be leveraged to create wellness and develop conditions of holistic nourishment.

District  AYUSH in-charge will focus on prevention of diseases and promotion of wellness through Yoga, cultivation of medicinal herbs in Poshan Vatikas, and preparation of AYUSH formulations to address conditions like anaemia.

***

## Integrating AYUSH Concepts for Holistic Nourishment:

## 1. Nourishment through Poshan Vatikas

To  support  awareness  and  outreach  on  nutrition,  micro-nutri-environments  shall  be  created  in every  village.  Leveraging  convergence  for  food  &  nutrition,  Poshan  Vatikas  (kitchen  gardens  and nutri-gardens)  shall  be  set  up  where  benefits  can  easily  be  given  to  women  and  children.    To initiate  this  program,  the  space  in  Anganwadi  Centres,  panchayat  areas,  vacant  lands  of  village, any other government premises such as school campus or any other patch of community/government land available in the locality, etc. can be utilized.

The  main  objective  of  introducing  the  concept  of  Poshan  Vatika  is  to  encourage  community members  to  cultivate  local  food  crops  in  their  backyards.  A  nutrition  garden  ensures  an inexpensive,  regular  and  handy  supply  of  fresh  fruits  and  vegetables  that  are  basic  to  good nutrition.  Green  vegetables  contain  vitamins  and  minerals  that  protect  against  micro-nutrient deficiencies and diseases.

The cultivation of local vegetables, fruits and important herbs and medicinal plants in these areas will  be  a  critical  resource  to  fulfill  nutritional  needs  locally  and  generate  economic  activity  for local cultivators and village industry. The fruits and vegetables grown in the Poshan Vatika can be used  for  consumption  by  beneficiaries,  for  preparing  traditional  recipes  (regional  meals)  and  for motivating the local community for diet diversity.

Guidelines for management and distribution can be devised at the State/UT level in convergence with  nutrition  forestry  support  by  MoEF  under  Campa  Fund  and  convergence  with  MGNREGS, horticulture  and  other  plantations,  AWC  Level  Management  Committees,  village  communities, Poshan Panchayats, Mothers Groups can bring community ownership and encourage accountability. AYUSH can populate the Poshan Vatikas with medicinal plants and herbs as a convergence activity with Agriculture District Officer and KVKs.

Poshan Vatikas can meet the important dietary diversity gap that has been repeatedly revealed in different  surveys  by  providing  different  fruits,  nuts,  herbs  and  vegetables  round  the  year,  thus helping in introducing healthy eating practices to address malnutrition. These can be retrofitted with backyard poultry and fishery units in regions where these are culturally acceptable. Dietary diversity can be as important as dietary adequacy and in case of certain micronutrient deficiencies, even more crucial than the dietary adequacy, particularly in younger ages.

The garden may act as a demonstration activity site for children to enhance their knowledge on plants and their growth process. It can also be used to demonstrate agricultural technique to the community members and for delivering nutrition messages to pregnant women, lactating mothers and the wider community.

Anganwadi  Workers  shall  counsel  the  beneficiaries  to  sensitize  them  on  the  importance  of  a Nutrition  Garden,  nutritional  value  of  fruits  and  vegetables,  their  importance  in  healthy  and balanced diets and consequences of their deficiencies.

States/UTs shall  develop  IEC  material  on  Nutrition  Gardens  and  provide  to  field  functionaries  to generate awareness.

District level Implementation and Monitoring Committee headed by District Collector shall oversee the development of Poshan Vatikas in convergence with MoEF, MoPRI and AYUSH.

## 2. Encourage Yoga for Wellness:

AYUSH will propagate the campaigns of 'Yoga at Home, Yoga with Family' at AWCs and households to encourage beneficiaries to practice yoga and stay healthy.

| District Magistrate/District Collector                               | Chairperson      |
|----------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------|
| Chief Executive Officer, Zila Parishad/DRDA                          | Member           |
| District Forest Officer (Social Forestry/ CAMPA)                     | Member           |
| Sub-Divisional Magistrate                                            | Member           |
| Chief Medical Officer, Health and Family Welfare                     | Member           |
| District Program Manager, NHM                                        | Member           |
| District Education Officer                                           | Member           |
| District Planning Officer                                            | Member           |
| District Social Welfare (Women and Child Development) Officer        | Member Secretary |
| District officer, Rural Development/Rural Livelihoods Mission        | MemberDistrict   |
| District AYUSH-in Charge                                             | Member           |
| Executive Engineer (Public Health Engineering, Water and Sanitation) | Member           |
| District Agriculture Officer/ District Horticulture Officer          | Member           |
| Any other Department Head of the district nominated by the Chairman  | Member           |
| Nutrition Experts (2) Nominated by the Chairman                      | Member           |

Annexure III

## Suggested Composition of District Nutrition Committee

District Nutrition Committee: Nutrition Experts suggested in District Committee have to be mandatorily certified nutrition experts.

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## 5734 87 69 7/2021/P OM /o Under Secreatry

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To

## All Chief/Principal Secretaries/Secretaries of all States/UTs.

Subject: Streamlining Guidelines on Quality Assurance, Roles and Responsibilities of Duty Holders, procedure for procurement, integrating AYUSH concepts  and  Data  Management  and  Monitoring  through  'Poshan  Tracker'  for transparency, efficiency and accountability in delivery of Supplementary Nutrition - reg

Madam/Sir,

This  Ministry  had  issued  Streamlined  Guidelines  on  the  subject  cited  above,  vide D.O. letter of even number dated 13.01.2021 ( copy enclosed for ready reference) .

2. It is requested that the said Guidelines be shared with all District Magistrates/Collectors for strict adherence.

3.               Compliance in this regard may be reported to this Ministry immediately.

Encls. As above:

## No. CD-I-24/2/2021-US ( e.90701)

## भारत सरकार

## /Government of India महिऱा एवं बाऱ व वकास मंत्राऱय

## Ministry of Women & Child Development

शास्त्त्री भवन , नई हिल्ऱी Shastri Bhawan, New Delhi-110001.

Dated: 27

th January, 2021

(DR. HARMEET SINGH)

DIRECTOR

(ICDS)