Bengal falls short in ICDS execution

Inspite of having a stable government, West Bengal is at the mid-performing levels in terms of public programmes related to health and other sectors, said Nobel Laureate, Amartya Sen.

Sen acknowledged the efforts of the state government in carrying out the Integrated Child Development Services(ICDS), but at the same time highlighted various pitfalls that would have to be tackled for implementing the programme successfully. The ICDS in West Bengal was launched in 1975.

Speaking on the release of 'The Pratichi Child Report', Sen stated that the programme had been implemented quite successfully in the state, however, some factors like supply inadequacy and lack of proper infrastructure would have to be addressed.

The report highlights that the projects in West Bengal fall short of coverage not only in terms of target beneficiaries, but also in terms of actual delivery of services.Currently, there are around 411 ICDS projects being conducted in West Bengal, out of which there are 28 suchcentres in the districts of Jalpaiguri, Bankura, South Dinajpur, Burdwan and Murshidabad, where the reserach was conducted.