Nobel laureate and Nalanda University chancellor Amartya Sen Monday said there were "shortcomings" in the implementation of the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) programme in Bihar and West Bengal.
"There are certain shortcomings, and solutions are clear on how these can be addressed. There is a need that every ICDS facility should have a building of its own and have access to clean drinking water," he said.
The ICDS is a programme of the central government's women and child development ministry.
Referring to the shortcomings in the implementation of ICDS aimed at improving nutritional status of children, pregnant and lactating mothers, the economist said 36 percent of the centres in West Bengal and 80 percent in Bihar do not have toilets which may pose a serious health hazard.
"About half the centres do not have access to safe drinking water in West Bengal, and the proportion is only a little less in Bihar," he said.
Sen said people were now recognising ICDS as one of their birth-rights and hence proper implementation of basic facilities has to be ensured.
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He pointed out serious infrastructural shortcomings like need for separate buildings, kitchens and toilets for the centres.
Sen is the chairman of the Pratichi (India) Trust which aims for equity and efficiency in the areas of education and health.
It recently conducted a survey across 22 ICDS centres in six districts of Bengal and 30 centres in five districts of Bihar.
The findings revealed that the number of ICDS centres in West Bengal rose by 112 percent during 2006-2014, while in Bihar the increase was 59 percent for the same period.