Lok Sabha Question No. 3954 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-24
Subject: Mini Anganwadi Centres
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Sandhya Ray, Sunil Kumar Pintu, Krupal Balaji Tumane, Bhavana Gawali (Patil), Ramesh Chander Kaushik, Ajay Kumar Mandal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UN STARRED QUESTION NO. 3954 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.03.2023

## MINI ANGANWADI CENTRES

## 3954.  SHRIMATI SANDHYA RAY:

SHRI SUNIL KUMAR PINTU: SHRI KRUPAL BALAJI TUMANE: SHRIMATI BHAVANA PUNDALIKRAO GAWALI: SHRI RAMESH CHANDER KAUSHIK: SHRI AJAY KUMAR MANDAL:

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

- (a) the number of Mini Anganwadi Centres currently operational in Bihar, Sonipat district of Haryana and Bhind and Datia districts of Madhya Pradesh indicating the facilities provided therein;
- (b) whether the Government has received proposals from the said States to set up more such MACs, if so, the details thereof and action taken thereon;
- (c) the funds spent by the Government in said region during the last three years along with details of Anganwadi Centres which are being run by the private companies; and
- (d) whether  the  Government  has  taken  cognizance  of  the  irregularities  in  the functioning  of  these  centres  and  conducted  any  inspection  to  check  the functioning and utilization of funds, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) As informed by the State of Bihar, there are 7115 Mini-Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) operational in the State of Bihar. As informed by the State of Madhya Pradesh, there are 369 Mini-AWCs operational in Bhind district and 150 Mini-AWCs operational in Datia district. As informed by the State of Haryana, there are 2 Mini-AWCs operational in the district of Sonipat. The State has further informed that both the Mini-AWCs have the  facilities  of  toilets,  drinking  water,  swings  for  children,  pre  school  education, besides  supply  of  Supplementary  Nutrition  for  the  beneficiaries,  table-chairs  and teaching aids for children. The State has further informed that the Mini-AWC is run by Anganwadi Workers and they prepare hot cooked meals for children.

Further under Anganwadi Services, under Saksham Anganwadi & Poshan 2.0, the following facilities are provided at AWCs/Mini-AWCs to children upto the age of 6 years and Pregnant Women and Lactating Mothers:

- i. Supplementary Nutrition;
- ii. Pre-school Non-formal Education;
- iii. Nutrition & Health Education;
- iv. Immunization;
- v. Health Check-up; and
- vi. Referral Services

Three of the services viz. Immunization, Health Check-up and Referral Services are related to health and are provided through National Health Mission & Public Health Infrastructure.

(b)  In  the  recent  past  no  proposal   has  been  received  from  government  of  Bihar, Haryana  and  Madhya  Pradesh  for  opening  of  Mini  AWCs.  However,  Ministry  of Women and Child Development has taken a decision to upgrade all Mini-AWCs to Main AWCs to ensure that both Nutrition and Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) are given equal priority, which is not possible with one worker. The States/UTs have been asked to submit proposals for up-gradation of Mini-AWCs. Based on the proposals received from States/UTs, 7453 Mini-AWCs have been upgraded to Main AWCs.

(c) The status of funds released to the States of Bihar, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh under Anganwadi Services is as under:

(Rupees in Lakhs)

| S.No.   | Financial Year   | Fund Released   | Fund Released   | Fund Released   |
|---------|------------------|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|
|         |                  | Bihar           | Haryana         | Madhya Pradesh  |
| 1.      | 2019-20          | 127888.67       | 18029.66        | 121491.90       |
| 2.      | 2020-21          | 127059.58       | 18113.67        | 122037.59       |
| 3.      | 2021-22          | 157443.07       | 17303.35        | 108546.91       |

As informed by the States of Bihar, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh, no AWC is being run by private companies.

(d)  Saksham Anganwadi & Poshan 2.0 is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme and the administration, management & monitoring regarding implementation of the Scheme is being  done  by  the  concerned  State  Government/UT  Administration.  Complaints,  if received, with respect to irregularities/ corruption in implementation of the Scheme are taken  up  with  concerned  State  Governments/UT  Administrations  for  appropriate action.  Reports  on  complaints  which  are  serious  in  nature  are  sought  from  State Governments/ UT Administrations. Action for any misconduct or involvement of any employee in any corrupt practice is taken by the respective State Government/ UT Administration as per their service rules.

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