Lok Sabha Question No. 2252 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-12-15
Subject: Infrastructure of Anganwadi Centres in West Bengal
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Khan Saumitra

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2252

TO BE ANSWERED ON 15.12.2023

## INFRASTRUCTURE OF ANGANWADI CENTRES IN WEST BENGAL

- 2252    SHRI SAUMITRA KHAN:

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

- (a) the details of Anganwadi Centres (AWCs)  working in the State of West Bengal during the last two years;
- (b) whether all these  AWCs  have their own buildings and infrastructure, if so, the Reasons thereof and if not, the reason therefor;
- (c) whether  the Government  has released any funds for construction of buildings for AWCs during  the last two years, if so, the details thereof;
- (d) whether the funds released for construction of building have been fully utilised; and
- (e) if not, the details thereof and the steps being taken for their early completion?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) As per the data of Poshan tracker, 1,19,451 Anganwadi Centres (AWCs) are functional in the State of West Bengal.
- (b) to (e) Out  of  these  1,19,451  Anganwadi  Centres,  54,528  have  own  building, 23,667 have piped water connection, 38,953 have drinking water connection and 52,702 have toilet facility.

Review of the scheme and its components including infrastructure upgradation is a continuous process and based on learnings, outcomes, suggestions and proposals, Government takes appropriate action from time to time. To improve infrastructure at AWCs  the  cost  norms  for  construction  of  Anganwadi  Centres  in  convergence  with MGNREGS have been revised from @7 Lakh per AWC to @12 Lakh per AWC wherein Rs.8.00 Lakh would be provided under MGNREGS, Rs.2.00 Lakh under 15th 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. 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.

Provision  of  drinking  water  facilities  and  construction  of  toilets  at  AWCs  have  been made.  The  unit  cost  approved  for  toilet  and  drinking  water  is  Rs.  36,000/-  and Rs.17,000/- respectively to be shared by Centre and States/UTs as per cost sharing ratio under ICDS (General). Further, in convergence with Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, it has been ensured that clean drinking water is provided to Anganwadi Centres through pipelines. Under Saksham Anganwadi, 2 lakh AWCs @ 40,000 AWCs per year to be strengthened, upgraded and rejuvenated across the country for improved nutrition  delivery  and for early childhood care and development. Ministry has issued directions to States/UTs, to co-locate those Anganwadi centers which are running on rent  without  sufficient  infrastructure,  at  the  nearby  Primary  Schools,  where  space  is available.

Government has allocated/sanctioned Rs. 2308.19 lakh for upgradation of 4750 AWCs to Saksham Anganwadi in the State of West Bengal during the year 2022-23.

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