ICDS scheme set for revamp, 13 lakh anganwadis to be digitised

Ministry of Women and Child Development is working on developing a "standardised nutrition basket" which can be implemented across the country

The Ministry of Women and Child Development will undertake a complete revamp of the Integrated Child Development Services, including digitisation of 13 lakh anganwadis for real-time monitoring of every child and lactating mother.

"The Ministry is working in a convergence mode with NITI Ayog, ministries of Health and Education and other stakeholders to deal with the problem of malnutrition on a war footing," an official release said.

Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) is an early childhood intervention programme which was launched by the Centre in 1975. It aims at improving the nutritional and health status of children below the age of six years.

As part of the digitisation drive, 13 lakh anganwadi workers will be given smartphones and their supervisors will be given tablets. Both the hardware and software for the project is being provided by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. A memorandum of cooperation between the Ministry and the foundation in this regard was signed in May, it said.

The respective state governments will be providing training to anganwadi workers to help them switch to the new IT-based system, the release said.

The ministry is also working on developing a "standardised nutrition basket" which can be implemented across the country.

"We are also looking at further standardising the supplementary nutrition so that hygienic, nutritious and locally acceptable food is given to children and mothers," it said.

The release stated that the ministry was also making efforts to revise cost norms so that better food can be provided to the beneficiaries.

The measures were shared at a review meeting conducted by the ministry. Representatives from all 29 states and Union Territories were present at the meet, it added.