Lok Sabha Question No. 3367 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-18
Subject: ICDS Scheme
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Shrirang Appa Barne, DHARMENDRA YADAV, SHIVAJI ADHALRAO PATIL, ANANDRAO  ADSUL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN & CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3367

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 18.12.2015

## ICDS SCHEME

## 3367.  SHRI SHRIRANG APPA BARNE:

SHRI DHARMENDRA YADAV:

SHRI ADHALRAO PATIL SHIVAJIRAO:

SHRI ANANDRAO ADSUL:

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

- (a) whether  some  State  Governments  has  sought  Union  Government  advice  for  use  of extrusion technology for preparation of take home rations under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme;
- (b) if so, the details thereof indicating the names of such States;
- (c) whether  there  is  a  need  to  maintain  quality  in  food  served  to  infants  and  pregnant women  and  nursing mothers under the  Government's  supplementary Nutrition Scheme;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Union Government in this regard;
- (e) whether  Supreme  Court  of  India  has  strictly  prohibited  to  award  food  contracts  to private manufacturers;
- (f) if so, whether some State Governments have thereafter continued awarding contracts to the private manufacturers in spite of Supreme Court orders; and
- (g) if so, the action taken by the Union Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER FOR WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI MANEKA SANJAY GANDHI)

- (a)      &(b) The State of Maharashtra has sought advice for use of extrusion technology for preparation  of  Take  Home  Ration  (THR)  under  the  Integrated  Child  Development Services (ICDS) Scheme.
- (c) Yes, Madam. It is necessary to maintain quality of food served to infants and pregnant and nursing mothers under the Supplementary Nutrition Programme (SNP).
- (d) In  order  to  ensure  the  quality  of  supplementary  nutrition,  Food  and  Nutrition  Board (FNB)  of  this  Ministry  in  collaboration  with  the  State  Governments/UTs  carries  out surprise checks to ensure that prescribed standards with reference to nutritional norms are adhered to and maintained properly. The SNP food samples are analysed at the quality  control  laboratories  of  FNB  located  in  Delhi,  Mumbai,  Kolkata  and  Chennai. Besides,  the  State  Governments  have  also  been  advised  to  get  the  SNP  samples tested from NABL accredited State Government Laboratories to ensure that the food served  to  the  beneficiaries  conforms  to  the  prescribed  standards.  Additionally,  the Government  has  issued  the  operational  guidelines  of  Food  Safety  and  Hygiene  in ICDS to the States/UTs.
- (e)      to  (g)      The  Integrated  Child  Development  Services  (ICDS)  Scheme  is  a  centrally sponsored scheme implemented by the State Governments/UT Administrations. The States/UTs are responsible to implement the scheme and follow the directions/guidelines issued in this regard.

The Supreme Court of India in PIL 196/2001 - ' PUCL Vs. Union of India' - passed an order  dated  7.10.2004  inter-alia  directing  that  the  contractors  shall  not  be  used  for supply of nutrition in Anganwadis and preferably ICDS funds shall be spent by making use of village communities, self-help groups and Mahila Mandals for buying grains and preparation of meals.

In yet another judgement dated 19.8.2011 in the case titled ' Shagun Mahila Udyogik Sahakari  Sanstha  Maryadit  Vs.  State  of  Maharashtra', the  Apex  Court  stressed  on hygiene,  quality  and  standard  of  the  food  prepared  for  children  covered  under  the ICDS  scheme.    Accordingly,  Government  of  India  issued  advisories  dated  9.5.2012 and  26.9.2014  to  all  the  States/UTs  for  strict  compliance  of  the  directions  of  the Supreme Court. The States/UTs are mandated to follow these directions/guidelines.

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