Clarification regarding news item in a national daily on working of anganwadis over the past one month

Clarification regarding news item in a national daily on working of anganwadis over the past one month

This is in reference to a news item appearing in a national daily stating that the demonetisaiton is adversely affecting the working of anganwadis. The Ministry of Women & Child Development wishes to put the following points in perspective with regard to the above mentioned news item:

 

 ·         Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme is a centrally sponsored scheme implemented by the States/UTs. Management of the scheme, procurement and supply of various items rests with the States/UTs.

 ·         Government of India lays the policy guidelines, releases its share of funds and monitors/reviews the scheme. Funds to the States/UTs are released in the fixed cost sharing ratio as per Annual Programme Implementation Plan. 

 ·         For children 6-36 months’ age and Pregnant & Lactating Mothers (P&LM), nutrition is provided in the form of Take Home Ration (THR). Physical procurement of THR is made by the State Governments/UT Administrations. There is no role of Anganwadi Workers (AWWs) in this matter.

 ·         Nutrition for 3-6 years children is either supplied by the agencies or prepared at Anganwadi Centres (AWCs).  AWWs are not directly involved in purchase of the material.

 ·         Self Help Groups are paid money through cheque/bank draft/RTGS and they are expected to procure the material in bulk and make payment accordingly.

 ·         Government of India has not received any report from any State/UT expressing any difficulty due to the reasons reported in Times of India. 

 ·         Government of UP has informed that P&LM are provided THR on fixed date of the month.  The scheme is running as usual and there is no affect of demonetization as payments are made through RTGS only.  Statement of AWW Parvati Devi of Bahraich pertains to HAUSHALA POSHAN scheme fully funded by State Government of U.P.

 ·         Government of Bihar has informed that they have received no complaint from any AWW regarding the cash crunch due to demonetization.  Even during the visit of Chief Minister of Bihar to the area, no such report was made.

 ·         Government of Chhatisgarh has intimated that there is neither decline in the number of beneficiaries nor any dearth of funds.

 ·         As per Rapid Reporting System (RRS) data, in October and November, 2016, 5.73 lakh and 5.30 lakh AWCs reported the data serving 2.59 crore and 2.52 crore beneficiaries respectively.  RRS is at the evolving stage and only about 5-6 lakh AWCs out of 13.50 lakh AWCs have started reporting raw data.