Government not planning to replace take-home rations with packaged-nutrients: WCD
The government is not planning to replace the existing take-home rations and supplementary nutrition to packaged nutrients at anganwadis, the Lok Sabha was told today. Minister of State for Women and Child Development Ministry, Virendra Kumar, in response to a question whether the government is planning to provide packaged nutrients to replace the existing take-home ration, said "no". Details here.
WCD hints about the launch of direct cash transfer scheme
Kumar also said the government is not implementing a pilot project for conditional cash scheme in lieu of take-home rations and hot cooked meals provided at anganwadis. However, according to WCD officials, the National Nutrition Council had recommended last month that direct cash transfer scheme should be launched on a pilot basis in two districts of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
Total number of beneficiaries under ICDS has crossed 7cr children
Kumar said that anganwadi services under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) are implemented in all districts across India. "The total number of beneficiaries who have availed the services as on June 30, 2018, are 7,12,46,158 children, 6 months to 6 years, and 1,72,15,920 pregnant and lactating mothers," he said. ICDS provides primary healthcare and food to children under 6 years and their mothers.
