Well-placed sources in the Ministry told PTI that the minister has told the Planning Commission that the fund sanctioned at present were inadequate even if the ministry was only to implement its flagship programme Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) alone.
The sources said the Planning Commission had informed the Ministry that Rs 1.17 lakh crore had been marked for it for the 12th Plan period from the year 2012 to 2017.
As per the Ministry's own estimates, if it were to work on its plans for the implementation of the ICDS alone, it would need funds to the tune of Rs 1.20 lakh crore.
"Though the Planning Commission's present allotment is around Rs 1.17 lakh crore, the Minister has written to them seeking a minimum grant of Rs 1.7 lakh crore for the five-year period. According to the estimates of the ministry, this is the least amount that is needed for this sector," a senior official said.
"While there is demand and pressure from all sides for resources, we hope that the Plan Panel will be able to make some adjustment and revise the allotment to this sector," the official added.
The sources said while the amount sanctioned for the WCD were more than the previous Plan, its flagship scheme like the ICDS required huge funds especially keeping in mind the priority assigned to the battle against malnutrition.
They pointed out that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh himself had also pointed to the prevalence of malnutrition in Indian children as a national shame.
When contacted over the phone, Tirath confirmed that she had written a letter to the Planning Commission seeking more funds. MORE
