Lok Sabha Question No. 2203 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-11
Subject: Implementation of ICDS Scheme
Ministry: WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: RAM TAHAL CHOUDHARY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2203

TO BE ANSWERED ON  11.12.2015

## IMPLEMENTATION OF ICDS SCHEME

- 2203 SHRI RAM TAHAL CHOUDHARY, DR. SANJAY JAISWAL, SHRIMATI SAKUNTALA LAGURI, SHRI JASVANTSINH SUMANBHAI BHABHOR, SHRI PRATAPRAO JADHAV

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

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  taken  note  of  the  factors  hindering/impeding  the  effective implementation of Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has evaluated/reviewed or proposes to evaluate/review to scheme so as to ascertain its impact, if so, the details and outcome thereof indicating the shortcomings noticed therein;
- (c) whether  various  irregularities  including  misutilisation  of  funds  in  the  said  scheme  has  been reported in recent times, if so, the complaints reported in this regard during each of the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise along with the action taken thereon;
- (d) whether  the  Government  has  set  up  any  monitoring  and  review  mechanism  for  effective implementation  of  the  scheme,  if  so,  the  details  thereof indicating  the  composition  of committees constituted in this regard along with the number of meetings held by them during the said period; and
- (e) the further measures taken by the Government for coordination between various departments so as to make the scheme more effective?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) The universalisation of ICDS Scheme has been a mixed blessing. While adding the number of Anganwadi  Centres(AWCs)  and  taking  them  to  the  door  steps  of  children,  it  concomitantly brought  in  its  wake,  huge  challenges  in  terms  of  resources  as  well  as  challenges  of management, delivery of services with quality and standards, financial management, space for AWCs,  human  resource,  issues  of  convergence,  low  focus  on  under  three  year  children, ECCE, Strengthening training and capacity building monitoring, etc.  These have by and large been addressed in the restructuring and strengthening of ICDS in 2012.

- (b) ICDS  Scheme  is  a  Centrally  Sponsored  Scheme  implemented  by  States/UTs  across  the country.    Periodical  assessment  of  progress/achievements  made  by  the  States/UTs  and improvement  in  functioning  of  various  components  of  the  scheme  is  an  on-going  and continuous process.  This is done largely through monitoring reports and review meetings.

The issues broadly taken up for review are operationalization of projects and AWCs, filling up of  vacant  posts,  diversion  of  manpower  on  non-ICDS  functions,  Supplementary  Nutrition Programme,    procurement    and    availability    of    medicine    and  Pre-School  Education  kits, holding  Village  Health  and  Nutrition  Days  (VHNDs),        growth    monitoring,  community  and Panchayati Raj involvement, financial management, infrastructural issues, etc.

Shortcomings, noticed in achieving the targets are brought to the notice of the States/UTs.

- (c) ICDS  Scheme  is  a  Centrally  Sponsored  Scheme  implemented  by  States/UTs  across  the country.  The responsibility for implementation of the Scheme and its management thereof rest with the States/UTs.  During the last three years and current  year 19 complaints from States (Maharashtra-8,  Uttar  Pradesh-4,  Madhya  Pradesh-2,  Delhi-3,  Odisha-1,  Uttarakhand-1) regarding irregularities/corruption relating to inferior food has been reported.
- (d) Yes,  Government  has  introduced  5-tier  monitoring  &  review  mechanism  at  different  levels (National/State/District/Block  and  Anganwadi  level)  by  involving  public  representatives  for monitoring the status of Anganwadi Centres.  Government has issued guidelines on 31.3.2011 for  constitution  of  Monitoring  &  Review  Committees  at  different  levels  to  review  progress  in implementation  of  the  Integrated  Child  Development  Services  (ICDS)  Scheme.    These committees can also suggest steps for improving the functioning of ICDS Scheme.  The details of the composition of the committees at different levels are at Annex .
- (e) Convergence with various line Ministries/Departments is an integral part of ICDS.  There has been  effective  convergence  with  Ministries  of  Health  &  Family  Welfare,  Rural  Development, Panchayati  Raj,  Drinking  Water  &  Sanitation,  etc.    The  convergence  is  ensured  through meetings, consultations, and by issuing joint guidelines.  Recently joint guidelines have been issued  by  Ministry  of  Women  &  Child  Development  and  Ministry  of  Rural  Development  for construction of 2 lakh AWCs in 11 States having backward districts. The 5-tier monitoring & review mechanism developed by the Government has in-built convergence mechanism.

*******

## Annexure referred in reply to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No.2203  for 11.12.2015 regarding Implementation of ICDS Scheme.

Government has introduced 5-tier monitoring & review mechanism at different levels (National/ State/ District/  Block  and  Anganwadi  level)  by  involving  public  representatives  for  monitoring  the  status  of Anganwadi Centres. Government has issued guidelines on 31.03.2011 for Constitution of Monitoring & Review  Committees  at  different  levels  to  review  progress  in  implementation  of  the  Integrated  Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme.  The composition of these committees at different levels are as under :

Composition and key roles of such Committees at different levels are outlined in the following sections.  States/UTs  may  make  adjustments  and  appropriate  changes  in  the  designations  of Officers/functionaries at various levels as per local conditions and institutional structures.

## I. NATIONAL LEVEL MONITORING & REVIEW COMMITTEE (NLMRC) ON ICDS

## Composition

| i)    | Secretary, Ministry of Women & Child Development                   | Chairperson      |
|-------|--------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------|
| ii)   | Principal Advisor, WCD, Planning Commission                        | Member           |
| iii)  | Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare                   | Member           |
| iv)   | Secretary, Ministry of Human Resource Development                  | Member           |
| v)    | Secretary, Deptt. of Food                                          | Member           |
| vi)   | Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development                           | Member           |
| vii)  | Secretary, Ministry of Minority Affairs                            | Member           |
| viii) | Secretary, Deptt. of Drinking Water Supply & Sanitation            | Member           |
| ix)   | Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj                              | Member           |
| x)    | Secretaries from any 5 States from each region (on rotation basis) | Member           |
| xi)   | Additional Secretary & Financial Adviser, MWCD                     | Member           |
| xii)  | Director, NIPCCD, New Delhi                                        | Member           |
| xiii) | Director, National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad               | Member           |
| xiv)  | Joint Secretary(ICDS), MWCD                                        | Member           |
| xv)   | Director (ICDS), MWCD                                              | Member Secretary |

## Note:

-  Two  Experts  on  child  development/nutrition/ECE  and  representatives  from  the  Development Partners may be called to the meeting as Special Invitee.
-  The Committee shall meet once in six months or as and when required at the direction of the Chairperson.

## II. STATE LEVEL MONITORING &  REVIEW COMMITTEE (SLMRC) ON ICDS

## Composition

| i.    | Chief Secretary                               | Chairperson   |
|-------|-----------------------------------------------|---------------|
| ii.   | Secretary, Planning                           | Member        |
| iii.  | Secretary, Finance                            | Member        |
| iv.   | Secretary, Health & Family Welfare            | Member        |
| v.    | Secretary, Rural Development                  | Member        |
| vi.   | Secretary, Panchayati Raj Institution         | Member        |
| vii.  | Secretary, Drinking Water Supply & Sanitation | Member        |
| viii. | Secretary, Education                          | Member        |
| ix.   | Secretary, Agriculture/Horticulture           | Member        |
| x.    | Secretary, Food                               | Member        |

Member

| xi.    | Secretary, WCD (in charge of ICDS)                    | Member           |
|--------|-------------------------------------------------------|------------------|
| xii.   | 5 Members of Parliament (MP)*                         | Members          |
| xiii.  | 5 Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs)*             | Members          |
| xiv.   | State Mission Director, National Rural Health Mission | Member           |
| xv.    | Regional Director, NIPCCD (from the region)           | Member           |
| xvi.   | Food & Nutrition Board, State/Regional Office         | Member           |
| xvii.  | Principal, Middle level Training Centre (MLTC)**      | Member           |
| xviii. | Principal, Anganwadi Worker Training Centre (AWTC**)  | Member           |
| xix.   | Director, WCD (in charge of ICDS)                     | Member Secretary |

* Members of Parliament and MLAs in the State/UT would be Members of the Committee on rotational basis for one year and their selection shall be such as to give  representation to as many political parties as possible.
- ** On rotation basis in each year;

## NOTE:

-  Experts/Representatives  from  the  prominent  Institutions  and  Development  Partners,  who  are working in the State with ICDS programme, may also be invited as Special Invitees.
-  The Committee will meet every six months or earlier as and when required on the notice of the Chairperson. The Chief Secretary will, however chair the meeting once in six months.

## III. DISTRICT LEVEL MONITORING & REVIEW COMMITTEE (DLMRC) ON ICDS

## Composition

| i.    | District Magistrate/Collector/Dy. Commissioner   | Chairperson      |
|-------|--------------------------------------------------|------------------|
| ii.   | Chief Executive Officer (CEO)                    | Vice-Chairperson |
| iii.  | District Development Officer, Zilla Parishad     | Member           |
| iv.   | Chief Medical Officer, Health & Family Welfare   | Member           |
| v.    | District Planning Officer                        | Member           |
| vi.   | District Social Welfare Officer                  | Member           |
| vii.  | District Agriculture/Horticulture Officers       | Members          |
| viii. | District Officer, Rural Development/MNREGA       | Member           |
| ix.   | Executive Engineer, PHED                         | Member           |
| x.    | District Education Officer                       | Member           |
| xi.   | Members of Parliament (MPs) in the District      | Members          |
| xii.  | Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs)           | Members          |
| xiii. | Principal, Middle level Training Centre (MLTC)*  | Member           |
| xiv.  | Principals, AWTCs (any 2)*                       | Members          |
| xv.   | Field Unit of Food & Nutrition Board             | Member           |
| xvi.  | CDPOs (any 3)*                                   | Members          |
| xvii. | District Programme Officer (ICDS)                | Member Secretary |
|       | On rotation basis in each year                   |                  |

Note: The Committee will meet at least once in a quarter or as and when required on the notice of the Chairperson and will submit its review report to the Chief Secretary/Secretary (WCD) clearly outlining actions taken at the district level and support required from the State Govt.

## IV. BLOCK LEVEL MONITORING COMMITTEE (BLMC) ON ICDS

## Composition

- i. Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM)

Chairperson

- ii. Block Development Officer/TDO

Vice-chairperson

- iii. Block Representative of Health (BMO/MO in charge PHC/CHC)

Member

- iv.

- Block representative of Education

Member

(Block Education Officer/Dy. Inspector of School/in charge of SSA)

- v. Block Extension officers of Agriculture/Horticulture

Member

- vi. Representative of Block/Nagar/Taluka Panchayat

Member

- vii. Principal, Anganwadi Training Centre*

Member

- viii. Representatives, local NGOs (2)

Members

- ix. CDPO

Convener

* if there is any.

## Note:

-  The Committee will meet once in a quarter and will submit its report to the District Committee with a copy to the State Directorate of ICDS.
-  Representation of level of officials from concerned departments at the block level in the Block level Committee may be decided as may be deemed fit by the State Govt.
-  Representatives of Animal Husbandry/Dairy/Fishery etc., may be invited as required.
-  2-3 Supervisors (ICDS) in the block may also be invited to the meeting on rotation basis.

## V. ANGANWADI LEVEL MONITORING & SUPPORT COMMITTEE (ALMSC) ON ICDS

## Composition

| i.   | Gram Panchayat/ward member (preferably woman member)   | Chairperson   |
|------|--------------------------------------------------------|---------------|
| ii.  | Mahila Mandal ( 2 Members on rotation)                 | Members       |
| iii. | ASHA                                                   | Member        |
|      | Representatives of:                                    |               |
| iv.  | Community Based Organization (2)                       | Members       |
| v.   | Community (Teachers/Retired Govt Officials/            |               |
|      | Parents of Children attending AWC) (3)                 | Members       |
| vi.  | Sakhi under SABLA Programme (if any)                   | Member        |
| vii. | Anganwadi Worker                                       | Convener      |

## Note:

-  The  Committee  will  organize  regular  monthly  meetings  to  discuss  various  issues  in  the anganwadi area in the village or ward/slum and record minutes of the meeting. A copy of the minutes may be sent to the Block level Committee and CDPO.
-  ICDS Supervisor, ANM, LHV may be invited to the meeting as may be required.

The number of meeting held is not maintained at the Central level and States/ UTs have been requested to review the status of implementation regularly.