Lok Sabha Question No. 82 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-02
Subject: Supplementary Food at AWCs
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Vinayak Bhaurao Raut, Omprakash Bhupalsinh alias Pawan Rajenimbalkar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN & CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA †

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO: 82

TO BE ANSWERED ON 02.02.2024

## SUPPLEMENTARY FOOD AT AWCS

## †82 . SHRI VINAYAK RAUT:

## SHRI OMPRAKASH BHUPALSINH ALIAS

PAWAN RAJENIMBALKAR :

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

- (a) whether the Government has achieved the objective for which Anganwadi Services scheme was introduced, if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the  details  of  measures  taken  by  the  Government  to  make  the  programme  more effective and ensure its wider coverage;
- (c) the  number  of  functional  Anganwadi  Centres  (AWCs)  in  the  country  through which  essential  services  including  Supplementary  Nutrition  Programme  (SNP)  and provision of vaccination have been started;
- (d) the number of mother receiving supplementary food at AWCs during each of the  last five years and the current year and the funds allocated for this purpose;
- (e) whether the Government has taken note of the fact that children of appropriate age do not get supplementary nutrition at the nearest AWCs despite their enrolment   in AWCs; and
- (f) if so, the details thereof and the corrective  measures taken by the Government   in this regard ?

## ANSWER

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

(a)  to  (f)  The  Government  has  accorded  high  priority  to  the  issue  of  malnutrition  and  is implementing  several  schemes/programmes  of  different  Ministries/Departments  through States/UTs to address various aspects related to nutrition. The efforts under the Supplementary Nutrition Programme under Anganwadi Services and Poshan Abhiyaan have been realigned and converged as 'Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0' (Mission Poshan 2.0). In the 15th FC, components of nutritional support for children below the age of 6 years, pregnant women and lactating mothers, Adolescent Girls (14 - 18 years); Early Childhood Care  and  Education  [3-6  years];  Anganwadi  infrastructure  including  modern,  upgraded Saksham  Anganwadi,  Poshan  Abhiyaan  and  Scheme  for  Adolescent  Girls  have  been reorganized under Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 (Mission Poshan 2.0).

Mission Poshan 2.0 focuses on Maternal Nutrition, Infant and Young Child Feeding Norms, Treatment of MAM/SAM and Wellness through Ayush practices to reduce wasting and underweight  prevalence  besides  stunting  and  anaemia.  It  seeks  to  address  the  challenges  of malnutrition in children, adolescent girls, pregnant women and lactating mothers through a strategic shift in nutrition content and delivery and by creation of a convergent eco-system to develop and promote practices that nurture health, wellness and immunity.

The objectives of Poshan 2.0 are as follows:

- (a)       To contribute to human capital development of the country;
- (b)       Address challenges of malnutrition;
- (c) Promote nutrition awareness and good eating habits for sustainable health and wellbeing; and
- (d)       Address nutrition related deficiencies through key strategies.

Under Mission Poshan 2.0, Supplementary nutrition is provided to beneficiaries 300 days in a year through the network of 13.95 lakh AWCs located across the country for bridging the gap in  the  intake  as  compared  to  the  recommended  dietary  intake.  Only  fortified  rice  is  being supplied to AWCs to meet the requirement of micro nutrient and control anemia among women and children. Greater emphasis is being given on the use of millets for preparation of Hot Cooked Meal and Take Home Rations (THR) (not raw food material) at Anganwadi Centres for children below 6 years of age, Pregnant Women, Lactating Mothers.

Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 is a centrally sponsored scheme and the implementation of the scheme falls under the ambit of State Government/ UT Administration. Government of India constantly monitors and reviews the scheme and its components and based on learnings, outcomes, suggestions and proposals, Government takes appropriate action from time to time through sustained engagements/ video conferences at various levels.

Steps have been taken to improve nutritional quality and testing in accredited labs, strengthen delivery and leverage technology under Poshan Tracker to improve governance. As part of leveraging  technology,  the  'Poshan  Tracker'  is  a  robust  ICT  enabled  platform  to  improve governance in regard to real time supervision and management of services. Further, to ensure last  mile tracking of service delivery, SMS alerts to beneficiaries have been introduced on delivery of Take Home Ration. Recently, Poshan Helpline (14408) has also been introduced for grievance redressal under this scheme.

States/UTs  have  been  advised  to  promote  use  of  AYUSH  systems  for  prevention  of malnutrition and related diseases. A programme to support development of Poshan Vatikas at  Anganwadi  Centers  to  meet  dietary  diversity  gap  leveraging  traditional  knowledge  in nutritional practices has also been taken up.

Streamlining  Guidelines  have  been  issued  by  MWCD  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. Nutritional Status and Quality Standards of  food  items  under  Supplementary  Nutrition,  Transparency  is  being  monitored  in  Supply Chain Management at State, District and Village Level.

A 'Protocol for Management of Malnutrition in Children - CMAM Protocol' has been launched providing detailed steps for identification and management of malnourished children at the Anganwadi level, including decision-making for referral, nutritional management and followup care.

As per the report of NFHS-5 (2019-21), the nutrition indicators for children under 5 years of age across the country have shown an improving trend as compared with NFHS-4 (2015-16). Wasting percentage has declined from 21% (NFHS-4) to 19.3 % (NFHS-5), Percentage of under-weight children has reduced from 35.7% (NFHS-4) to 32.1% (NFHS-5) and stunting indicator has shown a decline from 38.4% (NFHS-4) to 35.5% (NFHS-5).

The data on malnutrition among women and children is released under National Family Health Survey (NHFS), which is conducted by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. The report of NHFS-5 is available on National Family Health Survey portal (http://rchiips.org/nfhs/factsheet\_nfhs-5.shtml). Moreover, as per the data of Poshan Tracker for the month of  November 2023, around 7.44 crore children under 6 years were measured out of whom  37.51% were found severely/moderately stunted and 17.43% were found severely/moderately underweight. The prevalence of wasting as per Poshan Tracker is at 6 % which is much below NFHS 5 levels of 19.3%. The  details  regarding  the  number  of  Pregnant  Women  &  Lactating  Mothers  (PW  &  LM) receiving supplementary food at Anganwadi Centers along with the total funds released to State/ UTs under Supplementary Nutrition Component (for children aged between 6 months to 6 years and Pregnant Women & Lactating Mothers) during the last 5 years is placed at Annexure-A.

Statements referred to in part (a) to (f) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question no.82 due for answer on 02.02.2024 by  SHRI VINAYAK RAUT: SHRI OMPRAKASH BHUPALSINH ALIAS PAWAN RAJENIMBALKAR:  regarding Supplementary Food at AWCs

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## Annexure-A

Details regarding the number of Pregnant Women & Lactating Mothers (PW & LM) receiving supplementary food at Anganwadi Centers along with the total funds released to State/ UTs under Supplementary Nutrition Component (for children aged between 6 months to 6 years and Pregnant Women & Lactating Mothers) during the last 5 years:

| SL. No   | Year    |   No of Pregnant Women & Lactating Mothers (PW & LM) |   Fund released under Supplementary Nutrition Programme Component under Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0 (In Rs. Lakhs) |
|----------|---------|------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 1        | 2018-19 |                                             17335216 |                                                                                                                847592           |
| 2        | 2019-20 |                                             17186549 |                                                                                                                866118           |
| 3        | 2020-21 |                                             16874975 |                                                                                                                896322           |
| 4        | 2021-22 |                                             15673127 |                                                                                                                929517           |
| 5        | 2022-23 |                                             11433549 |                                                                                                                     1.07623e+06 |
|          | Total   |                                             78503416 |                                                                                                                     4.61578e+06 |

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