Lok Sabha Question No. 30 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-02
Subject: Anganwadi Centres in Rented Buildings
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: M. P. Abdussamad Samadani

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 30

TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.02.2024

## ANGANWADI CENTRES IN RENTED BUILDINGS

30. DR. M.P. ABDUSSAMAD SAMADANI:

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  the  importance  of  assessing  the  additional requirement of Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) in Kerala;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government have any target to house all AWCs in their own buildings rather than rented ones, if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) whether the  Government  plans  to  allocate  special  financial  assistance  beyond  the existing schemes to achieve this target, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d)  In order to rationalise the number of Anganwadi centres across the country vis-à-vis the registered beneficiaries, Government of India has, time and again, requested all States/ UTs  including  Kerala  to  re-visit  the  issue  of  availability  of  AWCs  at  habitation  level  and determine the actual AWCs working therein. Further, the Government has decided to upgrade all Mini AWCs with one worker to a full-fledged Anganwadi Centre with one worker and one helper.  To improve infrastructure at the existing AWCs, various efforts have been made.

Under Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0, beginning from FY 2021-22, 50000 AWCs building are to be constructed over a period of five years @10000 AWCs per year. The cost norms for construction of Anganwadi Centres in convergence with MGNREGS have been revised from Rs.7 Lakh per AWC to Rs.12 Lakh per AWC wherein Rs.8.00 Lakh would be provided  under  MGNREGS,  Rs.2.00  Lakh  under  15 th   FC  (or  any  other  untied  funds)  and Rs.2.00  Lakh  by  MWCD  per  AWC  to  be  shared  between  Centre  and  States/UTs  in  the prescribed cost sharing ratio. A total of 140 AWC Units have been approved for FY 2021-22 AND 2022-23 for the State of Kerala. Further, States/UTs have also been advised to continue to tap funds for construction of AWC buildings from various schemes such as MPLADS, RIDF, Finance Commission Grants to Panchayati Raj Institutions,  NREGA, MSDP of Ministry of Minority Affairs, etc.

Directions have been issued to States/UTs to co-locate Anganwadi Centres, which are running on rent without sufficient infrastructure, at nearby Primary Schools, where space is available.

During the 15 th  Finance Commission cycle, 2 lakh Anganwadi Centres @ 40,000 AWCs per year are to be upgraded as Saksham Anganwadis for improved nutrition delivery and for early childhood  care  and  development.  Saksham  Anganwadis  are  to  be  provided  with  better infrastructure than the conventional Anganwadi Centres including internet/Wi-Fi connectivity, LED  screens,  water  purifier/installation  of  RO  Machine  and  equipped  with  smart  learning equipment. 250 AWCs have been approved for upgradation as Saksham Anganwadi in the Wayanad District of Kerala.

Recently, under PM-JANMAN in convergence with Ministry of Tribal Affairs to saturate the provision of schemes for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG), 5 new Anganwadi Centres have been allocated to State of Kerala.

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